The closure of the schools is being reviewed on a regular basis but during this period our focus is on the wellbeing of our pupils, their families and how we can provide support and continue schooling during the coming weeks and months.
The virus has brought monumental change to how we teach and care for children and young people and presents a particular challenge for children and young people who require specialist support as they, and their families, adapt to new social distancing measures and forms of learning.
The following includes support, advice and practical help that we can provide to you during this difficult time:
Take a look at our YouTube channel which features a range of videos including Makaton, Attention Autism, Cooking Demonstrations, Keeping Fit sessions and more – Click here
Now our children are online more than ever, don’t forget safety. Perpetrators of scams are likely to be on the increase too. Please find a number of resources below offering advice and guidance on online safety and activities that can be completed safely indoors.
- 15-Minute Safety Activity: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
- Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/special-needs/
- Childnet: https://www.childnet.com/blog/supporting-young-people-with-send-online-new-hot-topic-
- Childnet has produced a series of six short interactive lessons. These 10-15 minute videos are designed to be picked up and used by families with any young person aged 6-9.
- NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
- Commons Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/what-to-watch-read–play-while-stuck-indoors
- Little Learners: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Self-Regulation-For-Little-Learners5140866
- As Taught in Schools: http://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html
Hand Washing
- Tips for People with Sensory Difficulties: https://sensoryintegration.org.uk/News/8821506
- Free Resources: https://www.schuelke.com/gb-en/news-media/Hand-Hygiene-Teaching-Pack-Free-Download.php
- Free Hand Washing Visual/Poster (bottom of the link): https://abavisualized.com/handwashing
- Video: https://starautismsupport.com/washing-hands-supports
- Factsheet: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf
Sensory
- 150 Sensory Learning Activities: https://inclusiveteach.com/2020/03/20/150-sensory-learning-ideas/
- If your child has sensory difficulties, here are some educational resources you can use at home from The Sensory Projects
Social stories
- Everyone Gets Sick Sometimes: https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/flu_teaching_story_final%20%281%29.pdf
- Carol Gray: https://carolgraysocialstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Pandemics-and-the-Coronavirus.pdf
- The Autism Educator: https://theautismeducator.ie/2020/03/11/corona-virus-social-story/
- A range of Coronavirus Social Stories, Communication Boards, Scripts and Planners for those requiring Augmentative Communication Support (Lower half of scrolling page and tabs): https://www.talktometechnologies.com/pages/covid
- How to Make a Social Story: https://www.autism.org.uk/about/strategies/social-stories-comic-strips.aspx
- NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
- Caring for Children With Complex Needs: https://www.wellchild.org.uk/ten-ways-to-keep-my-child-with-complex-health-needs-safe/
- Diet and Eating Resources: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide/
- Carers U.K. Caring & Contingency Planning: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health
- Calm Jars: https://lemonlimeadventures.com/lego-calm-down-jar/
- Kooth, Online Anonymous Mental Health Support: https://www.kooth.com/
- Young Minds Blog and Other Services: https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/
- Headspace, Mindfulness: https://www.headspace.com/
- Rethink, Online Coronavirus Hub: https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/covid-19-support/
- Apps To Support Mental Health: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/apps-to-help-with-mental-health
- Brain in Hand is a professional digital support system which helps people with making decisions, managing anxiety, and dealing with unexpected situations: https://braininhand.co.uk/
- Keep Active Apps: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/movement-apps-games-and-websites
- Five Yoga Videos for Kids: https://awakeandmindful.com/best-kids-yoga-videos-on-youtube/
- Daily PE with Joe Wicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz0go1pTda8
- The World’s Your Classroom: 10 fun ways to home school. Some ideas to support learning about the world
- Minecraft is making its educational worlds available free, with 12 digital lessons available to download until the end of June.
- Huge Raft of General Activities: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/list-of-free-education-subscriptions/
- Bake in Sundays: https://www.facebook.com/itsybitsy-bakers/events/
- Tumble Tots Live: https://www.tumbletots.com/news/news/9414/
- National Geographic: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/teacher-category/primary-resources/
- Museum Colouring: http://library.nyam.org/colorourcollections/
- 101 things for Young Adults to do: https://www.catcote-futures-homepack/101 things for young adults to do
- Soundabout Live: https://www.soundabout.org.uk/
- Electric Umbrella, live 4 times per day: https://www.facebook.com/ElectricUmbrella
- Singing Hands: https://singinghands.co.uk/
- Signed Tiger who came to Tea: https://youtu.be/VwmkzeTAJ8I
- Audio Stories Free at Audible: https://stories.audible.com/discovery
- American titles read by celebrities and free on-demand: https://www.storylineonline.net/
- Happy-self Journal: https://happyselfjournal.com/
- The English Touring Opera is offering weekly online music workshops for children with SEND. The whole family is invited to get involved in creative play exploring rhythm, sound and song: http://ow.ly/VI0C50ziXPS
- Wind in The Willows is already out: https://londonist.com/london/theatre/wind-in-the-willows-streaming-west-end
Lots of children have had school trips postponed in addition to being in isolation; try some virtual tours below.
- How to explore the British Museum from home – some easy ways to visit the museum virtually or browse galleries from your sofa: http://ow.ly/HVQl30qB7tV
- Museums: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/23/10-of-the-worlds-best-virtual-museum-and-art-gallery-tours
- Yellowstone Park: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
- Discover Animals: https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/animals/
- U.K & U.S Zoos live: https://www.holidaypirates.com/travel-magazine/13-zoos-that-offer-live-streams
- Roller Coasters: https://youtu.be/9vwAu5cEIM8
- Aircraft: https://www.eyerevolution.co.uk/aircraft/
- Farm Live: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalFarmAdventurePark/videos/617335855483713/
- NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html
- Discover (us): https://online.kidsdiscover.com/discover
- History Live form a WWII Bunker: https://www.facebook.com/events/682955445790269/
- Animation: https://vimeo.com/399311004
- Safety Video by A Young Person: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILkGVB_Gyrg
- Makaton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WRUjvt_6lc
- Story Book: https://www.facebook.com/LittleMiraclesCentre/photos/?types=3&theater
- Easy Read, Mencap: https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-04/Info%20about%20covid19%2014th%20April.pdf
- Easy Read, Self-isolating: https://www.easy-read-online.co.uk/media/53205/self-isolating-low-res-easy-read_v1a.pdf
- Information for deaf children and young people, their families and professionals supporting them
