If we're connected on social media or you've been reading my blog for a while, you may know my time has been limited over the past couple of years while I'm undertaking my doctoral study. This has sometimes meant I've had to miss a course or conference I'd otherwise have attended due to study commitments… Continue reading Patoss (virtual) conference 2020
Thinking creatively
The month is up, but learning at home is not stopping... I love this activity that can be adapted to children (and adults) of all ages and interests. Having more than one possible answer can reduce the fear of being 'wrong' and helps build confidence in our own ideas. Encouraging children to give voice to… Continue reading Thinking creatively
Construction working
More information on fine motor skills for writing can be found here. A downloadable copy of this OT booklet on pencil grasp is here. Other ideas for games and activities to boost fine motor coordination and finger strength are here. Other downloadable resources are here. Daily posts will be collated under the Learning at Home… Continue reading Construction working
Draw what I say!
Today's activity for learning through fun is one that can be enjoyed by all ages. I've used line drawings and given colouring instructions, or simple drawings to be embellished, or started with a blank sheet of paper, a whiteboard or chalkboard. Gauge your learner - introduce concepts of colour, angles, complex shape names and more… Continue reading Draw what I say!
Target!
Throughout April I am posting ideas and resources to help develop children’s skills for learning through play. Today, you’ll find two copies of the 100-square that can be downloaded. The first is unmarked, except for the numbers, of course. the second is a simple block of 100 empty squares. You can download a blank copy… Continue reading Target!
Ball games
Today's activity might get you active and outdoors, but a lightweight beach-ball can be quite safe inside if the weather is unkind. More information on gross motor skills for writing can be found here. Ideas to support writing posture are here. Ideas to support writing position are here. Other downloadable resources are here. Daily posts… Continue reading Ball games
Hidden treasure
This activity can easily be set in a specific room, all around the house, or in the garden. Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – simplify as necessary or make it more complex. Older children can cope with more sophisticated language, more difficult or more numerous description, for example, a combination of… Continue reading Hidden treasure
Matching and sorting
Today's tip can incorporate drawing, cutting and sticking, sorting small-word toys, everyday items and garden finds... Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – simplify as necessary or make it more complex. As well as being a great mutisensory learning experience for dyslexic children or anyone with specififc learning difficulties, this type of… Continue reading Matching and sorting
What did you say?!
The latest in a series of weekday tips to help develop chidren's skills for learning through play. Today's game is an old favourtite. It can be played by the whole family, regardless of age, and can help develop listening skills and sound discrimination. Posts are gathered together under the Learning at Home tab. You can… Continue reading What did you say?!
100-square activities
Today's daily offering is perhaps a little more conventional, but there are so many ways to adapt this maths challenge to suit those just starting out with number recognition or those whose pattern recogniton skills are at an advanced level.Now we've found a few ways to use the 100 square for games, here are a… Continue reading 100-square activities
In-hand manipulation
Today we're looking at fun ways to build strength and dexterity for pencil control. More information on fine motor skills for writing can be found here. A downloadable copy of the OT-inspired booklet on pencil grasp is here. Other ideas for games and activities to boost fine motor coordination and finger strength are here. Other… Continue reading In-hand manipulation
Comparatively speaking
Today's idea is one that can be slotted in to almost any situation. Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – you might just chat, or you might follow up with measuring roughly, or later, accurately. You can use everyday objects to measure – step out distances, or use known quantities rather than… Continue reading Comparatively speaking
What’s that sound?
Today's activity can be planned or impromptu. Stop for a moment and listen to the sounds around you. Right now, I can hear the dog's tag jongling as she pads around the kitchen. The fridge is humming. Someone is walking in a bedroom overhead. I'm not sure how many different birds I can make out,… Continue reading What’s that sound?
Letters and sounds
Today's activity is one that can be adapted in so many ways. Window cleaning due soon - why not use the glass in a patio door as a whiteboard? (Check your markers are glass-safe first, of course) Writing on an upright surface - e.g. an easel, the side of a bath, a shower screen -… Continue reading Letters and sounds
Bored or boardgames
Throughout April I am posting ideas and resources to help develop children's skills for learning through play. Today, you'll find two copies of the 100-square that can be downloaded. The first is unmarked, except for the numbers, of course. the second is a simple block of 100 empty squares. There are many ways to use… Continue reading Bored or boardgames
We’re going on a sound hunt!
For today's offering, an old favourite that works at home or out on a daily walk. Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – simplify as necessary or make it more complex. Older children can cope with more sophisticated language and less visually obvious targets. This helps build comprehension and vocabulary skills as… Continue reading We’re going on a sound hunt!
Sort it out
Each weekday during April, as we're all at home, I'm sharing ideas to help develop children's skills for learning through play. Today's offering combines helping out at home with following instructions. There's a healthy dose of maths on the side, too! Adapt the concept to suit children’s ages and stages – simplify as necessary or… Continue reading Sort it out
Word games
It's Wednesday, so we're working on word games in today's daily offering. Playing with alliteration (words starting with the same letter), onset and rime (the first sound and the bit that makes the rhyme) and rhythm (noticing the number of syllables, the length of the word) can help to build skills for spelling and to… Continue reading Word games
Household chores
A few ideas for developing pencil control
Silly stories
Here's today's addition to your toolbox of activities to develop learning at home in ways that are less formal and (I hope) more fun.This game adapts well to participants of all ages. The youngest children or least confident writers can team up with older siblings or parents and practise their communication skills through coherent whispering.… Continue reading Silly stories
Skills for study 