Teaching Resources, Sensory Stories and SEND Information
What is Joint Attention? Joint attention, the ability to share attention with another person towards an object, activity or event, is a crucial skill for social development and learning. For the pupilI work with it is a crucial skill to teach. For some joint attention skills do not develop naturally and needs to be taught… Continue reading Teaching Joint Attention to Children: Evidence-Informed Best Practices
As I come to the end of my NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) I have been reflecting on myself as a leader and the things I am trying to develop. Through the process of reflection I came across a few theories that I think are linked, and possibly affect a lot of leaders (though… Continue reading Imposter Syndrome? or Are You just a Reluctant or Incomplete Leader?
In recent years, we have seen growing awareness regarding the importance of mental health and its impact on overall well-being. As a result, there is an increasing emphasis on understanding the ethical implications of various psychological interventions. One such area of concern is the use of psychological restraint in healthcare, education and other contexts. In… Continue reading Psychological Restraint: A Violation of Human Rights?
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 into the role of affect… Continue reading Maximise Learning: The Three Essential Ingredients
Inclusion in Education: Multiple Perspectives Inclusion in education is a widely debated topic with various perspectives and approaches. The core concept is the idea of providing equal access to education for all students, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, and learning needs. The term "inclusive education" can be a bit vague. In general, it is accepted… Continue reading Inclusion in Education: A Comprehensive Overview of Different Perspectives
The letter below was written by a parent of an autistic child who read one of our recent posts on the importance of co-regulation. Too often our schools can be aversive places for children. As parents and teachers, as humans, we want our children to be happy and fulfilled at school. It should be a… Continue reading The Power of Co-Regulation: A Letter from a Parent of an Autistic Child
Our Favourite Books For Play based Learning As parents, we all want to ensure that our children are learning and growing in the best possible way. Using play as a way to promote learning is not only effective, but it's also super fun! Children get to learn new skills, express their creativity, and make new… Continue reading The 4 Top Books About Learning Through Play
Online Safety Here are some more resources to use with students who require symbol support for #SID2016 or general digital citizenship resources. They are in both PPT format and link to the widgit online site if you have a subscription. I have a second post here with a couple more ideas. A Communication/Discussion Board Here… Continue reading Some More Safer Internet Day Resources #SID2016
Implementing Effective Change in Schools This post is taken from a reflection for my NPQH course. School leaders are constantly seeking ways to improve their schools and enhance student outcomes. However, implementing meaningful change is challenging and many school improvement efforts fail to lead to sustained improvements. The Education Endowment Foundation, an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link… Continue reading EEF Guidance on Implementing Effective Change in Schools
Messy play is an essential part of childhood that encourages creativity, exploration, and learning. As parents, we might be tempted to keep our children clean and presentable, but there is a world of benefits to embracing the mess. From fostering cognitive development to nurturing social skills, messy play has a range of positive effects on a child's growth.… Continue reading The Joys and Educational Benefits of Messy Play for Children’s Development
Understanding Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder. As a teacher, it is important to recognise that every child is unique. While there are certain commonalities in the needs of autistic individuals. Reactions to sensory stimuli can play a significant role in how engaged in learning a child will be. Reducing sensory overload can improve a child’s… Continue reading Understanding Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder: A Guide for New SEN Teachers
Showing Autistic Pupils that Learning Has Value: A Guide for Special Education Teachers Any new special education teacher faces the unique challenge of catering to the diverse needs of your students. I have spent my career supporting Autistic pupils who will require specialised approaches to learning. One of the most important tasks, and one that… Continue reading SEN Teacher: Proving The Value of Learning
The Importance of Inclusive Education In today's diverse classrooms, inclusive education has become a critical component of effective teaching. Inclusive practice refers to the educational strategies, interventions, and adaptations that enable all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, to actively participate and succeed in the learning environment. As educators, it is essential to develop… Continue reading Developing Teacher Expertise in Inclusive Education
This post forms part of our series on teacher recruitment. One of the questions you can almost guarantee being asked is a variation on "Tell us about yourself". In 2023 and 2024 schools are facing significant challenges in recruitment. However they are unlikely to be willing to reduce the standard of the teachers they will… Continue reading How to Answer the Interview Question: Tell us about yourself?
Best Practices for Communicating with Autistic Children for ECTS When it comes to education and early years development for children who have a diagnosis of autism, simple techniques and strategies can be the most effective. In fact, we often overlook the basics because we tend to overcomplicate things when communicating with autistic children. In this… Continue reading Best Practice for Communicating with Autistic Children
This post will look at how we can create inclusive activities linked to the communication early learning goals (ELGs). As a passionate advocate for play, inclusion, and neurodiversity in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), I firmly believe that every child has the right to learn and develop in an environment that values unique strengths and… Continue reading Early Learning Goals, Inclusion and Neurodiversity
Sound and Play Sensory Sound Buttons are a type of sensory toy designed to provide children with a fun and interactive way to explore sounds and textures. These buttons are typically made of durable materials and feature a variety of textures, colours, and shapes that are designed to engage the senses and encourage exploration. When… Continue reading Sensory Sound Buttons in EYFS: Communication and Engaging play
Heuristic Play and EYFS The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework sets standards for the learning and development of children from birth to five in the United Kingdom. It aims to ensure that children receive high-quality education and care that helps them achieve their full potential. One of the key components of EYFS is play… Continue reading Heuristic Play: Enhancing Physical Development in the EYFS and beyond
What is Flow State? Flow state, as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is a mental state of operation where a person is fully immersed in an activity, characterised by a feeling of energised focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. During the state of flow, individuals experience a sense of control over… Continue reading Flow State: Applying the Theory in the SEN Classroom
This post is a follow up to our bigger post on Noise Sensitivity. I work with many children who use some sort of ear defenders to reduce the noise in the school environment. There are two types of noise cancelling ear plugs: passive and active. Passive ear plugs block out sound by creating a physical… Continue reading Noise Sensitivity: Sound Reduction, Ear Defenders and Headphones
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