Fun Classroom Games for Primary School Children When looking for engaging games for primary school, it’s important to find activities that entertain young learners while providing educational value. This article outlines quick and easy classroom games to try. In the ideas for games and activities I have tried to link them to learning intentions. No-Prep …
Engaging Children In Literacy Through AR Storytelling. In the digital age, technology’s intersection with education has transformed the way we approach learning and engagement. One technology that has shown significant promise in this realm is Augmented Reality (AR). AR, by overlaying digital information onto the real world, offers a unique blend of interactive and immersive …
AR – Augmented Reality Storytelling To Engage Children Read More »
Things To Know About the Role of a SENCO What is a SENCO? A SENCo, which stands for Special Educational Needs Coordinator, is the key leader in supporting students with special educational needs and/or disabilities at their primary or secondary school. The SENCo works to ensure these students receive the right teaching and learning support …
Saying No To Children: Validating a Child’s Feelings While Setting Boundaries One of the most critical aspects of a child’s emotional development is learning to set boundaries. Saying “no” to your child is an essential part of this process. In this article, we will discuss the importance of saying no, how it can validate a …
Sensory Processing Differences and Classroom Design ‘Sensory processing’ refers to how a person’s nervous system responds to sensory information and how they react to it. autistic individuals often find it challenging to prioritise the stimuli to process in their environment, making it difficult to focus on a single stimulus. Atypical sensory processing in autism involves …
Did you know that 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of 5? This striking fact highlights the importance of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) in shaping young minds. It’s time to revolutionise your approach to EYFS teaching, with evidence-based strategies that maximise your young explorers potential. Imagine a classroom where …
Unlocking the Potential of EYFS Children: Encouraging Exploration Read More »
What is Retrieval Practice? Retrieval practice, or recalling what you have learned, can be a powerful learning strategy for students with special educational needs. Retrieval practice is a learning strategy in which a person actively attempts to recall information that they have previously studied from memory. This is effective because it helps to strengthen the …
Deputy Head Interview Questions and Tips for Success in 2023 This article on Deputy Head Interview Questions has been written for aspiring Deputy Headteachers in the UK. These possible questions cover most of the key leadership areas. Often deputy head roles include a significant safeguarding or DSL role. Click the link for interview questions linked …
Empowering Students with Classroom Jobs Welcome to a world where the classroom isn’t just a place for learning, but also a space where responsibility, teamwork, and leadership skills are nurtured. The early we can start to develop these skills in our young people the more effective the impact. Classroom jobs for pupils are an innovative …
Why A.I cannot replace physical teachers and classrooms: As a teacher and leader with nearly two decades of experience in UK schools, and I passing interest in the uses of A.I I have seen first hand how “online learning” and “remote education” failed to prepare students for life, not all. For some who have school …
Linking Sensory Ideas to Learning Intentions We love sensory ideas, play based learning and developing engaging activities. The importance of sensory experiences in a child’s development is well-known. Engaging in sensory activities helps children build essential skills, including fine and gross motor skills, self-regulation, and emotional regulation. While vestibular activities, which stimulate the sense of balance and spatial orientation, are essential …
100 Sensory Ideas: Activities for Autistic Children Read More »
The Impact of Lockdown on Autistic Children The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have had a profound impact on’s lives, including children and adolescents. At the time of writing this article, June 2023, we are seeing the challenges and outcomes of this upheaval including much-reduced attendance. It feels like there has been a subtle shift …
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How To Support Students With Trauma: The Impact of Trauma on Children’s Development The topic of childhood trauma and its long-term effects on development has received increasing scholarly attention in recent decades. Pioneering work in this field has been done by Dr. Bruce Perry, an American psychiatrist and neuroscientist specialising in child trauma. Dr Perry’s …
Understanding Trauma: 30 Strategies to Support Students in Your Classroom Read More »
The role of retrieval practice on the word learning and retention Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a language disorder that affects the development of language skills in children. In was previously known as Specific Language Impairment. These children often struggle with vocabulary acquisition and require targeted intervention to improve their language skills. This article will …
Retrieval Practice and Word Learning in Children With Developmental Language Disorder Read More »
The Importance of Classroom Routines for UK Teachers and ECTs: Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs Classroom routines play a crucial role in creating an effective learning environment, particularly for pupils with special educational needs (SEN). The Early Career Framework highlights the importance of establishing and reinforcing routines in promoting positive behaviours and fostering a …
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How To Get Buy-In From Your Team Having just completed my NPQH the topic of Vision, values and getting buy-in from my teaching staff is high on my agenda. As a school leader facing the current challenges, you all understand the importance of having a vision for your school. But even the best vision is …
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Pre-Verbal Children: What Might Their Behaviour Be Telling Us? I am using the term pre-verbal to encompass pupils who have may be described as non-verbal. Really any child who does not have a communication system that is easily interpreted by others. Understanding the behaviour, or actions, of pre-verbal children can be a challenging yet rewarding …
Pre-Verbal Children: Understanding Behaviour and Supporting Early Communication Read More »
Metacognition, or the ability to think about one’s own thinking, holds immense potential in supporting Autistic individuals as they navigate the complexities of our education system. By understanding cognitive load theory and the role of metacognition in managing cognitive load, educators and therapists can harness the power of the EEF favourite – metacognitive strategies to help their pupils overcome …
Metacognition & Autism: Cognitive Load & Metacognitive Strategies Read More »
Essential Ingredients for Maximising Learning. How can we maximise Learning for pupils in our classrooms? Research shows that learning is most effective when done in an active, engaging manner that combines behaviour, cognition, and emotion (Immordino-Yang & Damasio, 2007). Recent neuroscience advances explore the links between emotion, social functioning, and decision making, providing new insights …
Maximise Learning: The Three Essential Ingredients Read More »
The Benefits of Messy Play Messy play is an essential part of childhood that encourages creativity, exploration, and effective engagement in learning. As parents, we might be tempted to keep our children clean, tidy and presentable, but there is a world of benefits to embracing the mess. From fostering cognitive development to nurturing social skills, messy play has …
The Joys and Educational Benefits of Messy Play for Children’s Development Read More »
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