Mark Making Outdoors

Playing outside offers a great opportunity to explore making marks with lots of different materials. Early mark making is wonderful for supporting the development of fine motor control and is an important step towards learning to read and write.

EducationSarah BillinghamJuly 8, 2019special needs, early years, outdoorplay, outdoor learning, mark making, pre writing, sidewalk chalk, fine motor Comments

Top 5 Toys for Early Turn Taking

Turn taking is a valuable skill which supports the development of early social interaction and communication skills. Developing an understanding of reciprocation through the exchange of two way communication is a vital foundation for shared attention and conversation skills later on.

EducationSarah BillinghamMay 7, 2019early literacy, numeracy, pre writing, bilateral skills, special needs, early years, fine motor, turn taking, communication, interaction, speech and languageComment

Pegs, Pegs, Pegs

Pegs are ideal for getting little hands working to develop fine motor skills. At first glance a pack of wooden pegs may not seem like to most exciting or eye-catching resource... think again. With a little imagination, a simple pack of wooden, pound shop pegs can become a tool for so many play tasks.

EducationSarah BillinghamApril 12, 2019early literacy, numeracy, pre writing, bilateral skills, special needs, early years, fine motor, role play

The Hidden Benefits of Playing with Playdough

Playdough is something many of us have in a cupboard at home or in the classroom. Loved by kids and loathed by any parent that has been faced with a ‘playdough embedded in carpet’ incident (I have met several house-proud parents that have banned playdough from the house entirely!) it is easily accessible, cheap to make or purchase and can be used creatively in such a huge variety of ways.

EducationSarah BillinghamApril 2, 2019fine mtor, early literacy, numeracy, pre writing, bilateral skills, tactile, proprioceptive, special needs, early years