Just a huge big Merry Christmas to all our little Pre -Schoolers and their families!
Hope Santa is good to you all, and you all have a fabulous Christmas.
Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year
Yvonne, Gill and Diane
For parents of pre-school children with additional support needs
2nd Thursday of the month on Skype for Business
Time: 10am – 12pm (approx.)
Sessions will focus on practical strategies and examples of different ways of working with children with additional support needs. There will be the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss ideas together.
Topics Include:
| Date | Focus session |
| 12th November | Primary 1 School Application Process
Taking parents of pre-school children through the various steps involved in applying for your child’s first primary school place. We will also discuss the different mainstream and ASN options available in West Lothian. |
| 10th December | Play ideas for children with additional support needs
Activities, toys, sensory play and practical ideas for setting up successful play with children with a range of additional needs. |
| 14th January | What is Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual or Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder?
What do these terms mean and what does this means from your child’s brain. |
| 11th February | Ways to Support Your Child’s Communication across their day: Understanding
Ways that you can help your child understand what is happening in their day and the words that they hear, this might include using objects, photos, symbols or songs. |
| 11th March | Ways to Support Your Child’s Communication across their day: Expression
How your child might already communicate at home and ideas to support their communication development, using strategies such as Sign-a-long, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), objects, photos, symbols and also simple technology. |
| 13th May | Managing challenging behaviour through Positive Behaviour Support
Discussing why children use behaviours that challenge and help build on your strategies to reduce these behaviours. |
Places are limited at each of these Focus Sessions so booking is essential.
You will be sent the link for each session you book on to.
To book your place please email Maria Brown, Development Officer – Early Years / ASN maria.brown@westlothian.org.uk
A copy of the Flier can be downloaded or printed by clicking on the link :
Are you interested in joining our PEEP online group on Tuesdays from 1pm – 1.40pm along with your little Peep?
A copy of the the plan and a list of resources you might like to bring along can be found by clicking on the link. Links to the group have been sent out by text. If you have not received the link but would like to join us, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Look forward to seeing you then!
Yvonne, Diane and Gill
Preparing for Christmas!
Looking for Present Ideas? Not sure whether or not it’s worth put up the Christmas Tree? Christmas Themed Sensory Activities? Fancy a bit of a Christmas ‘Sign-a-Long, Sing-a-Long?
Join in with our preparing for Christmas online sessions starting 19.11.20 at 11am.
If you are interested, give us a little text or phone with you email details and we will send you a link.
We look forward to seeing you then!
Yvonne, Diane and Gill
If you are interested in joining us online for our little PEEP group, We would love to see you!
Click on the link for more information. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.
Yvonne, Diane and Gill
Click on the link below for some Autumn suggestions to keep you and your little pumpkin busy during the Autumn Season!
Yvonne, Gill and Diane
Hope everyone is keeping well and your summer is off to a good start!
For those of you who have little ones that are due to start ELC/Nursery after the holidays, the SWAY above has some simple video examples of enhanced transition activities you can do at home over the next few weeks to help your little one prepare. The sensory story used can be accessed here: Starting ELC Sensory Story
The activities are suitable for any child but are aimed specifically at little ones who would benfit from lots of sensory experiences being used along with simplified language to help them to make connections in their world and develop their understanding.
As always the key to reinforcing the learning is to: Keep language simple, use lot’s and lot’s of repetition, aim to ‘play’ when your child is most likely to engage (i.e. Not too tired, hungry etc), Most of all – Have Fun!
Summer has arrived!!! If you are looking for some low cost activities to keep the little ones busy this summer, take a look at our EY Summer Fun Activities (1) for some ideas and suggestions.
We hope you all have an amazing fun filled summer!!! Look forward to seeing you all in August Take Care, Stay safe, Have Fun!
Yvonne, Diane and Gill
In response to a request following our recent questionnaire, here are a few ideas of key words and strategies you can use to develop early communication at home.
Building Knowledge of Key Words in the Early Years
There is also a bit of information on Objects of Reference and a few tips on how to choose objects. objects_of_reference_docx_ald_version
At the back of the booklet, there is a number of Speech and Language Therapy Links.
Just a little reminder, that your Speech and Language Therapist is still available to offer support and advice over the phone if you require it. If you are unable to reach you Speech and Language Therapist for any reason the NHS ‘Lets Talk’ Advice Phone Line is available on:
07866219181
Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am – 5pm and Wednesdays 9am – 11.30am
We have begun to explore how Sensory Processing needs can often be been seen through some of the repetitive behaviours you see in your child’s everyday behaviours. Most often, we tend to notice these behaviours because they can be challenging to manage e.g pushing, pulling, throwing, climbing, bouncing, running etc. If you need a few more tips to know what sort of things you are looking for, click here: sensory-checklist
Sensory Diets can provide regular sensory input to begin to address you child’s sensory needs. Doing this can help to ‘feed the need’ in your child, freeing them up to offer increased attention and focus to other things throughout the day – to help them in other areas of their learning!
This SWAY offers some introductory information and short video clips that begin to explain Sensory Diets and identify some things to try at home. There is a number of videos: some short, some long, some from parents, some professionals; so you can ‘tap in and out’ to find out as much or little as you like.
As always however, if you find this is an issue for your child, please seek professional advice from your child’s Occupational Therapist who will be able to professionally assess and offer advice specific to your child’s needs.
If your child does not have an Occupational Therapist, please speak to your GP, Health Visitor, Child Develop Clinic or Pre-School Home Teaching Key-Worker who will be able to offer some advice on possible next steps.
Have fun feeding those Sensory Needs and watching your child grow!
