WRENS

Happy Monday everyone! We were filled with great sadness when we got the news that schools will not open again until September. We can’t believe that we are not going to see the Wrens again this term to share in so many wonderful moments, however we are delighted to hear that everyone is doing well at home. We will continue to support you virtually sending activities for you to try at home in order to support your child in their education. Our SNAs Mary, Stephen, Jenny and Ann wanted to do something for the children also so they have created some videos to help support our theme this week. We hope the children enjoy watching them as we tried to think of topics that would peak their interest. Please see links attached, the password is the same as previous video links.

Sending everyone a virtual hug and we hope that you enjoy this week’s theme.

Warm wishes,

Bernie and Kelly

Reminder announcement - ‘We are Writers’

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Ms. Lynch has made a wonderful resource pack called ‘we are writers’ for this unique time we are all going through. The staff and children in the school will create a writing piece in memory of this time. Please check out the pack (attached to our week 4 Wren Folder also) to help and guide you through the process. It gives lots of examples of different forms of creative writing. We are giving everyone two weeks to complete this challenge, to give you lots of time to plan, edit and make your final draft for the book. The closing date for this entry will be the 29th of May. Happy writing!!

This week’s theme is “Oral Language”

Top Tips for Developing Your Child’s Vocabulary Why is vocabulary important? Having a good vocabulary helps children think and learn about the world around them. The more words a child knows, the more information they have access to and the easier it is for them to communicate with those in their environment. This is not necessarily to say that your child has to be able to say the words, for some children speaking will come in time. We are simply saying that having a good understanding of vocabulary will enable them to communicate better in the way that suits them best whether that is PECS, a communication device or speaking.Ideas for helping your child hear and learn new words:

Talk as you do everyday activities and play: Follow your child’s lead - As your child plays or shows interest in things, say the words for them and repeat them often, in lots of different contexts e.g. for a child interested in leaves on a walk, use words like tree, leaves, green, shiny etc. Talk about other contexts e.g. we have leaves in our garden; some leaves change from green to brown; we eat salad leaves at lunchtime. Modelling during everyday tasks - As you are completing everyday tasks e.g. cooking, out for a walk, playing a game with your child etc., comment on what you are doing using simple words and phrases e.g. Mummy is making a cake; Daddy is hanging out the washing.

Expand what your child says: If your child gives a short or incomplete answer, add extra words to what they have said e.g. if they say ball, you can say ‘yes it’s a green ball’, ‘let’s bounce the ball’.

Use Short Sentences: Keep your sentences short, it is easier for your child to learn a new word when the word is not in a complex sentence.

Read: Reading books is a great way to learn new words. Comment on the pictures in the book and point to them as you say the word.

Nursery Rhymes and Songs: Saying nursery rhymes helps your child to hear lots of words. You can use lots of actions and gesture as you sing e.g. for ‘Round and Round the Garden’ make a circle on their palm, for ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ ,act out the spider going up the spout with your hands.

Talk about the different parts of things: When your child knows the names of certain things or objects, talk about their parts e.g. ‘the dog has paws and a tail’.

Name action words: Name action words in the moment as they are happening e.g. if you are brushing your teeth, or washing dishes, or eating dinner, name the action for your child.

Have fun with words:Play increases children’s exposure to words and promotes new word learning. Follow your child’s lead and make time to play with them. For example, you can use location words while playing with blocks e.g. up, down, in, out, on top, under, beside or action words while playing with sand e.g. pour, fill, spill, dig, build, throw etc.

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Parent Top Tips for Communicating!

Simple ways to support your child’s language and communication skills

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See it, Say it!Name the things you see and talk

about what is happening around

you.

Get Face to Face with your child during everyday activities. This encourages communication.

Make sure you have your child’s attention before you speak to them.

Try not to ask too many questions. This can make children feel tested. Try making comments instead. E.g. instead of asking ‘what did you draw?’, comment ‘’I like your drawing. I wonder what it is..’’ Comment on what your

child is doing.This helps them to understand what words and sentences mean. Be Silly!

Repeat new words again and again!

Be Silly!This will encourage your child to stay talking with you and take turns.

Wait!Give your child time to start a conversation or reply when you ask them something.

Count to 10 in your head! Model the right way to say tricky words e.g. if your child says ‘’my tar’’, you could say, ‘’yes it’s your car!’’

Listen and follow your child’s lead in what they want to talk about!

The SNAs have been very creative and have recorded some videos to help promote oral language. They have taken the interest of the children into account and created videos with simple words so the children can listen to the word see the action and possibly repeat it back. Even if they don’t say the words, the videos give clear demonstrations as to what is happening so will, in turn expand your child’s vocabulary. We hope they enjoy them. We would also like to thank the SNAs for their creativity and enthusiasm.

Password is Wrens2020

Video link for Crush and Crumble: https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417573382/b0f084bc63

Pour and mix: https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417574719/6c482c695b

Windmill and spin: https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417575085/25fee4bdc1

Painting: https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417575361/e9eaeedc1f

Farm animals and sounds:https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417577443/19ecb4fffa

Counting puppies: https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417580772/d4252b98b7

Big and small dogs: https://vimeo.com/user110523111/download/417578947/d423ca9bce

Singing :

Music and singing are among the most enjoyable activities for children and particularly children with Autism. We can teach rhyme, rhythm, language, number and lots more. Some music ideas include:

Action Songs – reinforce language, learning and encourage co-ordination

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUXk8Nc5qQ8

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Imagination Songs – children can make up their own verses for favourite songs / rhymes – for instance “Old MacDonald” or “We’re all going to the Zoo” children can choose all types of wonderful animals to include in this song – make up their own names, sounds, actions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6HzoUcx3eo

Repetition Songs – singing along with and copying a parent / sibling can aid with working memory and language development

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDHJW4r3elE

Counting Songs – E.g. “One, two, three four, five once I caught a fish alive” or “Five Little Speckled Frogs”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1WFygdxMM4

Sequencing Songs – “There’s a hole in my bucket”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCio_xVlgQ0

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Reading and Language:

Photo Album / personal books – using your photos whether on your phone or in photo albums to identify, name and talk about the photos. Book Creator for IPad is just one App that can be a useful tool for helping you to make personalised books from your digital photos. Often children really enjoy sticking these photos with words (appropriate to the reading level) into scrapbooks and creating their own books

Topic Books – using photos from an activity that was done during the week such as your walk or dancing activity – create books with pictures, words or phrases

Games – matching games, posting games, bingo, lotto – using pictures, words or phrases(depending on stage of learning) of your child’s favourite movie, animals, characters, toys, foods

Favourite stories – Reading, discussing the story / pictures, pointing at the pictures / words all helps to develop a child’s reading and understanding. https://www.getepic.com/ is currently offering a month’s free access

Reading recipes / timetables / magazines – Reading is everywhere, so where you can point at familiar words during activities

Here are some links to online stories, some we have done already in class and others were ones we had planned for the rest of term. We understand that your days can be busy but maybe the children might have some independent time on an ipad or computer. We highly recommend playing these stories for your child and allowing them to replay them as they will promote oral language and understanding for your child.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NQK-Sm1YY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL36gMrHJaI

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WST-B8zQleM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9mryuEKkKc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPQRiSTYFHo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gug6P8l1q6c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8sUPpPc8Ws

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