There is a trap we sometimes fall into when enabling children with SEN to communicate – we introduce tools that they can use with an assigned adult or a small selection of adults. This is very helpful for getting children’s basic needs met. However, it does not give them access to a wider community or to a peer group. The tools themselves are great; it is the implementation that’s flawed.
Read MoreIt is never too early to start reading with your child. Long before a baby is able to talk or is even seeming to take notice of what you are saying, they are still benefiting from being read to. Here’s how.
Read MoreOne of the key early cognitive skills that babies develop is object permanence. This is their understanding that an object still exists, even when they cannot see it. This understanding can begin to develop from 4 months and is often seen between 4 and 7 months old. You might first notice your child is developing this skill when they look for things they have dropped from the buggy or highchair. Here are some toys and games to support babies in developing their understanding of object permanence.
Read MoreAt primary school level there tend to be three types of school settings available for children with special educational needs; mainstream primary schools, schools with specialist classes/units and specialist schools. Choosing which type of school is most suitable for your child can feel a little pressurised. Here is a little run down of what the different types of schools offer and the advantages of each.
Read MoreDeveloping attention and play skills in preschoolers with additional needs can be a real challenge. But with the right strategies and helpful hints, they can learn to play for longer periods of time and develop their creativity and focus to learn and explore.
Read MoreGames are great for developing early social interaction, communication and attention skills. When we play a quick game, I feel that we have been able to have a bit of quality time together, even when doing something mundane like waiting to board the plane.
Read MoreBuilding in a bit of learning whilst having fun doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes spending 5 minutes of focused time with a child, engaging in their play, can be enough to give them a little boost with their learning and confidence.
Read MoreOne of the great ways to enjoy playing outside is to visit local parks and play areas. We are really lucky to live in a part of England where there are lots of green spaces. Over the years we have tried and tested lots of playgrounds and gone on many day trips. Here are my favourite 3 places in East Berkshire to play outside.
Read MoreConfident Kids helped me with my three year old. They really took the time to listen to my concerns and gave guidance and practical support to supplement the NHS advice I was receiving. They provided us with fun and engaging 'games' to play so she didn't realise we were practising - both my three and five year old enjoyed playing! They are very friendly, approachable and caring with a desire to help. Thank you Confident Kids!
Children need the opportunities that exploring outside provides. Nature gives a wealth of information into every one of their senses, which in turn helps them to develop their motor skills, their cognitive skills, their social and communication skills and especially their attention skills. Gardening is a wonderful way to explore their world.
Read MorePlaying 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.
Read MoreWhen introducing a new routine, visual support is particularly important as children have a lot to get their heads around! For children starting preschool or primary school we recommend using a weekly visual calendar.
Read MoreReading stories about school is a fun, non-threatening way to help children to begin to think about what school might be like. Talking about relatable characters, rather than themselves, may help them to gain some understanding before talking about their own feelings. There are so many lovely children’s books on this topic, here are a few of our favourites to share whilst preparing for transition into education.
Read MoreTo some degree we all use natural gesture to support our spoken communication. Signing builds on this by providing a tool which supports communication and interaction.
Read MoreTurn 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.
Read MorePegs 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.
Read MorePlaydough 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.
Read MoreFor many parents viewing schools for their child can be a little daunting. The sudden realisation that their precious little person will not be so little anymore. The loss of control that comes when you can no longer decide where and how your child will spend their time, term time holidays and trips to theme parks to avoid the weekend crush are no longer an option.
Read MoreMy son spent his first few years at school in Sarah's class, he absolutely loved it and thrived. Sarah helped him so much with his speech and confidence. She made him feel at ease in a class that had a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Now, 10 years later, my son is studying Latin and Mandarin GCSE and achieving high grades in all his subjects. Now you would never know of his early speech issues that he had when he started school. -Rachael
