The Special Needs Early Years Service have put together a collection of activities and supportive strategies for parents/carers at home, along with suggestions for where to find more ideas and useful websites.
Many of these activities are demonstrated in videos and tutorials for parents that can be found on the Special Needs Early Years Service YouTube Channel.
Communication and Interaction Strategies and Activities
- Who makes this Sound?
- Animal Sounds
- Intensive Interaction
- Play with Pictures
- Makaton - Toilet
- Makaton - Wash Hands
- Makaton Sign of the Week Summary
- Makaton - Drink
- Makaton - Finished
- Makaton - More
- Makaton - Sit Down
- Makaton - Stand Up
- Gaining Attention
- Interactive Games
- Now and Next Information Sheet
- Now and Next
- Getting to know Body Parts
- Eye Pointing
Rhymes and Songs
- Five Fat Sausages
- Five in the Bed
- Five Little Ducks
- Five Little Firefighters
- Five Little Men in a Flying Saucer
- Five Little Mice
- Five Little Monkeys
- Five Little Speckled Frogs
- Five Brown Teddies
- Five Currant Buns
Websites with activities and ideas to support children with Communication and Interaction needs:
- www.blackcountryearlyoutcomes.co.uk (ideas and support for speech, language and communication development)
- www.hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk (simple, fun activities for children from new-born to five)
- www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people (simple activities and play ideas to support early development of communication skills)
- www.literacytrust.org.uk (a charity promoting literacy development for children of all ages)
Activities and Ideas to Develop Early Play Skills
- Sorting Cards
- What's in the Box?
- Mark Making
- Mess Free Painting
- Fruit Colouring Worksheet
- Homemade Chunky Crayons
- Ice Cube Painting Exploring Boxes and Containers
- Exploring Everyday Objects
- Exploring Toys
- Building Towers
- Caterpillar Crunch Playdough
- Cause and Effect
- Early Symbolic Play
- Encouraging Anticipation
- Banging on the Drum
- Bubbles
Sensory Activities
- Sensory Activities
- Sensory Bins
- Sensory Brain Break Activities
- Sensory Snack Activity Pack
- Sensory Walk and Texture Wall
- Sensory Water Play
- Spaghetti Activity
- Sticky v Smooth
- Off to the Beach (A Sensory Story)
- Quiet Spaces and Dens
- Messy Play
- Jelly Soap
- Cupboard Clear Out Sensory Activity
More sensory activities and ideas can be found on the following websites:
Fine and Gross Motor Skills activities
- Visual Reach and Grab 1
- Visual Reach and Grab 2
- Pom Pom Activity
- Playdough
- Fine Motor Threading
- Animal Walks
- Balloon Hand to Eye
- Bubble Wrap Activities
Find out more about developing motor skills at home through the following website:
Self-Care Advice and Support
More information about self-care and support can be found on the following website:
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