Supporting Children at Home

Staying at home can be disruptive to the lives and routines of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

No one expects parents and carers to act as teachers or childcare providers, or to provide the activities and feedback that school would.

Parents and carers should do their best to help and support their children with their learning while they are at home.

Click the pictures to navigate our learning content!

 

Click the pictures to navigate our home support content!

 

Play

We know that children learn through play and at Palatine we value the importance of play for all children. Play is very motivating and gives children opportunities to be exposed to, develop and practise a wide range of skills, including counting, mark making and experimenting. In the home learning pack you receive there will be ideas for play which you can use with your child. Sometimes people think that play is “not real learning” but play is fundamental to children’s development. Play is important for everyone, even adults!

Palatine Guide to Play

Suitable for: All

Home Play Pack

Suitable for: All

Description: Ideas of how to support play indoors during lockdown

 

 

Tiny Happy People

Suitable for: Explorers and Investigators

Description: Activities to help you play with your child. Please note, these activities are sorted by age. The ideas may still be relevant if your child is older than the ages given depending on their learning levels.

 Outdoor play 

Suitable for: All

Description: Ideas of how to play outdoors during lockdown

Exploring puddles

Suitable for: All 

Description: There are so many different things you can learn by exploring a puddle

 

 

Writing

Try to help children to continue to practise their writing. This may include the formation of letters and familiarity with pens and pencils for younger children, or practising creative writing for older children. Ask children to write about their day-to-day experiences of being at home, or to write letters to send to family members. Work from school may be sent digitally, but using pen and paper will help children be ready for when they go back to school.

Links are clickable (Will open in a new window)

Pobble 365

Suitable for: Engineers

Description: a new image is published each day as a basis for creative writing. Story starters, questions and drawing ideas are provided.

Classroom Secrets

Description: downloadable resource packs which cover a range of subjects, including reading and writing.

English Mastery

Suitable for: Engineers

Description: downloadable resource books providing 8 weeks of activities.

 

Literacy Shed

Suitable for: Engineers

Description: downloadable resource packs with tasks based on video clips on YouTube.

The Day newsletter

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: a daily newsletter for parents and carers at home with children, helping to enrich learning with real-world knowledge and skills.

The Sensory Projects has free project packs for inclusive learning  and also some simple sensory games to play

The Sensory Dispensary have activities available to download from TES SEN website.

St Gabriel’s school staff sharing activities for special school learners.

Inclusive sensory discovery pack for Shakespeare’s The Tempest 

Molly is creating videos to engage her learners

Number

ractise counting and numbers. This does not always have to be a planned activity. For example, count things around the house while you are doing other things like cooking or cleaning. For older children learning sums, ask your school for help or see a list of resources to help with maths recommended by teachers and school leaders.

Hamilton Trust (home learning section)

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: downloadable resource packs with teacher guidance. A week’s worth of resources is provided for each year group.

Mathematics Mastery

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: downloadable guidance and resource packs for parents and pupils.

Nrich

Suitable for: All

Description: a range of activities. Some are interactive and some are to be completed offline. Activities are categorised by age range.

 

 

Numberblocks

Suitable for: All

Description: videos for numeracy development designed for children aged 0 to 6. There are fun activities that can be applied to everyday life and play.

Top Marks

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: a range of interactive maths games categorised by age group.

White Rose Maths (home learning)

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: presentations and downloadable workbooks which are easy to use for parents. New material is being released each week.

The Sensory Projects has free project packs for inclusive learning and also some simple sensory games to play

The Maths Mum

PE

Here are some PE resources for fitness/activity

Boogie Beebies

Suitable for: All

Description: videos that get younger children up and dancing with CBeebies presenters.

Disney 10 Minute Shakeups

Suitable for: All

Description: 10-minute activities based on Disney films that count towards a child’s 60 active minutes per day.

 

Super Movers

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: videos which help children move while they learn. They support curriculum subjects, including maths and English.

#ThisIsPE

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: videos delivered by teachers focussing on the PE curriculum which are accessible on YouTube.

Reading

When you read with your child try to:

  • express the emotion in the story
  • give colour to the characters using voices, tone and pace
  • Talk to your child about what they are reading. This will help them understand what they have read and encourage them to read for fun.

You can make a story more interesting and help your child develop their understanding of a book by linking what you are reading to their life. For example, while reading about Cinderella going to the ball, talk about how a ball is similar to a birthday party. Ask your child questions about what you are reading as you go. For example:

  • ask some questions that only need a short answer, such as what colour something is, or the name of a character
  • ask some questions that need a longer answer, such as how a character is feeling
  • ask them to tell you what has happened in the story so far

Libraries are currently closed, but you can find digital services they are providing at Libraries Connected.

Audible

Suitable for: All

Description: all children’s audiobooks are available for free while schools are closed.

Authorfy

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: access to master classes on texts from a range of authors, including videos from the authors and activities linked to novels.

Registration: is required

BookTrust

Suitable for: All

Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, including fiction and non-fiction. Family activities are included in the ‘Home Time’ section

 

Elevenses with the World of David Walliams

Suitable for: Engineers

Description: one free audio book reading is available to listen to every day.

Love Reading 4 Kids

Suitable for: All

Description: a site with recommended booklists, categorised by age range and topic, covering fiction and non-fiction

Poetry by Heart

Suitable for: Engineers

Description: a wide selection of poetry covering different topics

Registration: not required to view poems, but it is required to access teaching resources.

RNIB talking book library

Suitable for: All

Description: a library of talking books, large print and braille books with a great children’s section

The Children’s Poetry Archive

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: an archive of spoken poetry recordings. Children can listen to poems read out loud.

Oxford Reading Tree Biff and Chip books free online

Rhyming multisensory stories

Cherry Garden’s Sensory Story: Anansi and the pot of wisdom

Activities including sensory and massage stories which are themed for the time of year.

Science

BBC Bitesize

Suitable for: Investigators and Engineers

Description: interactive resources covering the primary science curriculum. 

STEM Learning

Suitable for: Engineers

Description: an online resource bank, which links to resources on external websites. The site features a live chat function offering support from subject experts. New home learning resources are being developed.

Apps

Here some Apps to help your child engage with learning. All apps must be downloaded onto a suitable device

Brain Parade

Description: a visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.

HelpKidzLearn

Description: a collection of games and resources designed for a range of educational needs and stages. It includes provision for school closure.

 

Sensory App House Ltd

Description: a range of apps are available for pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) or Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD). All are interactive and many do not require significant coordination abilities. 

Visuals2Go

Description: an all-in-one app created to support people with communication and learning difficulties. For verbal and non-verbal learners.

Phonics

Phonics is a method schools use to teach children how to read quickly and skillfully. 

At Palatine, pupils are taught synthetic phonics systematically and this supports their early reading development. We use the Song of Sounds phonics scheme, Song of Sounds is a multi-sensory phonics programme. It is hands on and interactive with music, movement and practical activities at its core. Song is a key part of the programme, helping children to remember phonemes (sounds) and associate them with graphemes (written letters). Children will learn different songs to depending on the stage they are working at, please contact your child’s class teacher for more information about their stage.

For more information on what phonics is and how to help your child with phonics using the Song of Sounds approach, please access the parent and carer’s guide.

Other resources you could use: 

Phonics Bloom

Phonics Play

Letters and Sounds (information about phonics from the DfE)

Phonics International

 

Teach me too – register for videos and resources to support children with Downs Syndrome

Tiny Happy People – Activities, songs and ideas to support communication

 

More…

Want more? or some different check these out!

Big Top Musical Adventures – a new interactive musical adventure each week

Access Art resources

Access Art Sketchbook Online Course

 

 An A to Z of sensory activities from Inclusive Teach

Printable resources for exploring nature (linked to literacy and numeracy as well.) Good outdoor garden activities.

Music apps and interactive resources (even some online lessons)

150 sensory learning activities

Websites to support learning for pupils with SEND

Do2Learn (USA)

Description: a range of downloadable resources grouped by theme. Themes include: social skills, songs and games, and picture cards.

Inclusive Teach

Description: downloadable teaching resources to support pupils with SEND.

PMLD thematic units – from the Northern Ireland Curriculum

Description: comprehensive guidance on themed activities for learners with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). A full sensory curriculum is offered.

Priory Woods School

Description: resources from an award-winning, innovative school, rated by Ofsted as outstanding and put together by SEND teachers. The resources include apps and programmes.

SEND Gateway

Description: A range of SEND guidance videos created in collaboration with the Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY) in addition to many other experts within the sector.

 

SENict Activities

Description: downloadable activities aimed particularly at Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) learners.

 

SEN Teacher

Description: downloadable resources that can be adapted to suit the needs of pupils. Resources are aimed at a range of abilities.

Speech and Language Kids

Description: a range of education and therapy resources for speech and language problems. A podcast is also available on iTunes for verbal and non-verbal children.

 

Teaching Students with Visual Impairments

Description: a range of downloadable resources to support blind and visually impaired pupils.

Registration: is required

 

UCL Centre for Inclusive Education

Description: a guide to help parents adjust to remote learning by providing advice and links to resources.

Routine

Do not worry about trying to keep the full routine that your child has at school but children will feel more comfortable with a predictable routine, so try to make sure they:

  • Get up and go to bed at the same time each day
  • Have regular meal times
  • Turn off any electronic devices, including the TV, at least an hour before bedtime
  • Keep active. Young children should be active for at least 3 hours a day in total
  • Get some fresh air each day

At school we use symbols and pictures to help children understand the routine of the day. Your child’s class teacher can help you with the resources that work for your child at school.

Socialising

Spending time with other children is important for your child’s development, but at the moment it is important they stay at home. You can help your child develop their social skills by:

  • Communicating with them throughout the day, responding to them and being led by the things they are interested in. Visit Hungry Little Minds for more information about talking with your child.
  • Talk about the things you have done together.
  • Video calling other children. Younger children may not have a conversation as you would, but they can share activities or show each other things they have made or like.
  • Phoning or video calling other people that your child knows, such as grandparents. Sit and do the call with them to help. Not all children will like it, so try again another time or have a call with family members while you are sitting down and eating a meal.
  • Looking at pictures of their friends or family with them.

TV and Digital

There are lots of ways to help your child to learn such as reading together and make-believe play. You can also use what children have watched on television or the internet to help their learning.

  • Talk with them about what they are watching or use their favourite TV characters in other games and activities.
  • Digital devices such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone can help. If your child does use them, try downloading some of our recommended apps to support learning.
  • Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices children are using and supervise their use of websites and apps.
  • See advice on keeping them safe online at https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/keeping-your-under-five-safe-online.
  • Try sharing things your child makes with your friends and family online and encourage others to do the same. Your child might enjoy seeing things they have made on the screen or seeing what their friends and family members have done.

    Reducing Screen Time

    Digital devices are not the only way to learn. Here are some ideas to reduce screen time:

    • Use books and other printed materials that their school has provided or that you have at home
    • Set a timer to show children how long they have on their device
    • Use a now and next board or visual timetable to show what else is happening and support transitions off the device
    • Try some of our play and learning around the home ideas
    • Be active and get away from the screen regularly
    • Stop using digital devices at least an hour before bed

     

      If you would like any advice or support on reducing screen time please contact the school or your child’s class teacher

    For more information

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