Summer Madness!

I've just added a new discount code at Littlesheep Learning - when entering SummerMadness07 at checkout you will save 10% (and yes that's on top of the sale prices!)

Take a look and get yourself a bargain - hurry though as the code expires on 30th June 2007

Planning for Starting School / Class Transitions

I had an email from a friend who has a child with ASD about how to prepare him for the changes in work from play based learning in Reception to the more formal learning in Year 1. Replying to her email reminded me of some of the transition support work I have done in preparing children for school / new classes and I thought I would share some ideas to help ensure that the move anxiety free.

Firstly, preparation is the key to smooth transitions. Some children will need more preparation than others so work out your own plan in conjunction with your school and other professionals working with your child (as appropriate).

One of the best ways to prepare a child for the new term is to visit the school and meet the teacher and other children, this is usually organised by the school at the end of the summer term or first thing in September as part of a gradual transition to full time schooling. If formal visits are not possible, taking the child to see the school (even just to drive past it!) will help make it a ‘real’ place.

If possible take photos the building, the classroom, the toilets, the library, the dining hall, the teachers / teaching assistants and anything else of interest. These can be made into a personalised 'starting school' / 'moving to year 1 (etc)' book. This personalised book can also include 'rules' as appropriate, for example, we have to be quiet in the library, we hang our coats on our peg, class x can play on the climbing frame on Wednesdays and we take turns on the computer.

It is important that the adults (teachers, parents, carers and other family members) connected to the child starting school are positive about the prospects of the experience, however it is also important to allow the child to express their fears and concerns. Books, for example, the Usborne First Experiences: Starting School or role playing school with favourite toys / puppets may help a child understand the process.

Another task that might help your child prepare for school is taking them ‘school shopping’, being taken to get their new school clothes, shoes and bags it can help build excitement about the experience and being able to chose items will add empowerment.

In the period before starting school, other skills that might be worth practicing include self-help skills - dressing, toileting and feeding, following routines and playing with similar toys to those used in school.

To prepare children who are already have specialist support in school, find out whether their support workers will be staying the same or changing next term. Evaluate the strategies used this year and look at how they can be implemented in the new classroom setting, for example, if the child was allowed to have quiet time out in a side room is there the space for this to occur in the new room? If the child sat for carpet time on a specific cushion / space - can this be transferred to the new class? Don't forget to ensure that angled writing boards and other specialist equipment is moved into the new class before the start of term.

Scope Communication Aids Survey

I've just received an email about the Scope Communication Aids Survey which is available here.

Scope believes that everyone should have the right to communicate. Lots of people with communication impairments have told them that they find it difficult to get the right equipment and support to speak for themselves. So they are conducting some research into the issues. The survey is for people with a communication impairment, who use, or would like to use, a communication aid. They would also like to hear from parents and family members or people that work with people with communication impairments. The survey ends on 1st July 2007.

Chelltune

Here is my second featured 'WAHM'

We went to Twycross Zoo yesterday and whilst following the sign language trail I remembered Michelle's site! Michelle holds a level three qualification in British Sign Language (BSL) and is a communicator for Deaf people and enjoyed signing with her own (hearing) children but struggled to find the resources to help teach them. Chelltune is the UK's first specialist signing store containing all the materials you need to get you babies and children signing. The shop contains items from the BSL - Let's Sign and WOW! ranges, products to support baby signing classes (including Tinytalk, Sing & Sign and Sign with your Baby), Makaton compatible resources as well as fun signing puppets. As well as the shop there is also a forum to discuss signing and ask any questions - it's well worth a look!

Birthdays

We are celebrating a birthday in our house today and it made me think about how children learn about birthdays and how we can help children with special needs experience the excitement / prepare them for their big day.

Some ideas:

• share books about birthdays / parties (including the Usborne First Experiences: Going to a Party)
• use a calendar to count down the days until the birthday / party
• practice unwrapping presents to teach both the anticipation of 'what is in the present' and the skills needed to tear the paper
• practice blowing out candles and singing happy birthday
• think about your child's needs and difficulties when planning a birthday treat, you want them to enjoy it!
• let your child 'help' with the preparations

Learning Number Names

I was talking to my eldest son yesterday and he pointed out a number 9 - I had no idea he knew the number names (we haven't sat down with the flashcards although he does have a set to play with!). I realised he must have learn them from all the incidental talking about numbers that we do so I thought I'd share some ideas with you - feel free to use the comments function to add yours too.

1. Look for house numbers
2. Complete number jigsaws
3. Play with number bean bags
4. Play number matching games like number lotto
5. Identify numbers on car number plates
6. Ask what number the hands on a clock are pointing to
7. Look at books with numbers in the story
8. Colour or decorate number outlines (see our resources page for FREE number colouring books)
9. Get your child to press the buttons for you in the lift
10. Identify the numbers on the scales when cooking

Littlesheep Learning has a full range of products to help your children learn numbers, including Rol 'n' Write Numbers, Tactile Sandpaper Numbers, Number Bean Bags and Number Fans

Autism Forum

As you may or may not know Littlesheep Learning came about as a result of our work with children with autism and that supporting parents of children with special needs is an area of importance to us. Whilst networking on MySpace we came across this new autism forum which will be well worth a visit if you are the parent or carer of someone with autism - take a look!

Down's Syndrome Awareness Week

This week (4th-10th June) is Down's Syndrome Awareness Week. A campaign week that aims to raise awareness of the condition, dispel myths and allay the fears surrounding Down Syndrome. It is a national initiative organised by the Down's Syndrome Association. This year the main focus of the week this year will be improving employment prospects for adults with Down’s syndrome.

So bearing in mind it's Down Syndrome Awareness Week I thought I'd help raise awareness of Down Syndrome by a post about it!

Down syndrome is a genetic condition which is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. The name ‘Down’ comes from the English doctor, John Langdon Down, who first described the syndrome in 1866 and ‘syndrome’ comes from the description of a collection of signs or characteristics.

Everyday in the UK, an average of one or two babies are born with Down syndrome, which means that one baby in 1000 has the condition. People with Down syndrome have a certain degree of learning disability however the degree of disability varies from person to person and it is impossible to tell at birth what that degree will be, most children with Down syndrome do learn to walk, talk, read and write just that their development is usually delayed.

There are certain physical characteristics that are shared by people with Down syndrome though not every child with the condition has every characteristic. Common characteristics are:

• Low muscle tone (although this improves with age)
• Lower than average birth weight and a slower pace of weight gain
• Eyes that slant upward and outward, the eyelids often have an extra fold of skin (epicanthic fold) which appears to exaggerate the slant
• A flatter than average back of the head
• A single crease which runs right across the palm of the hand

About forty per cent of children with Down syndrome have an associated heart defect. These heart conditions vary from small holes in the heart to more complex problems which may require major open heart surgery. The majority of these defects can be corrected and the prognosis is very good.

All babies are different from each other and the same is true of babies with Down syndrome, this means that in some babies the characteristic signs of Down syndrome are fairly easy to recognise soon after birth, however others need a blood test to check the chromosomes.

Lastly, I'd like to add a little picture of the daughter of a friend of mine, I'm sure you'll agree that she is gorgeous! Her mummy is a great advocate for Down Syndrome and wants the world know that having a baby with Down Syndrome is NOT the end of the world.

Please feel free to add your comments about your experiences of children with Down Syndrome (and send me any photos you want me to add).

For more information:

Competition Winner

Congratulations to Karen from Worthing, who is the lucky person who found the birthday cake and won a copy of The Usborne Book of Playtime Activities.

We hope you enjoy your book. Look out for more competitions coming soon.

IdentifyMe®

Here is my first 'featured' WAHM - we sell Reward ID Bands™ so it seemed logical to start with IdentifyMe®, especially as they sent me a newsletter yesterday launching their latest research survey.



IdentifyMe® is the place for all your I.C.E (in case of emergency) identification needs. Their fantastic lightweight and secure IdentiKids® children's ID wristbands and older children's WickID® give you peace of mind when you are out and about military style dog tags. They also have stunning and unique medical ID bracelets ideal for allergy sufferers, diabetics and those in need of medical ID with a great range of co-ordinating fashion jewellery! And if that wasn't enough they are also a leading supplier of custom printed wristbands, ideal for event management, admissions or for schools, nurseries and SureStarts - with very low minimum orders!

Two years ago IdentifyMe® conducted a national survey on parental attitudes towards "tagging" children. The results last time showed some very interesting statistics and now they are trying to find out whether they are providing solutions that help other parents give peace of mind. They also want to know if there is anything else we can do to help educate children who may become lost and also educate people who may find a lost child on what to do in this ever changing society that we live in. To take the survey Click Here.

Do you have a business?

I've been 'networking' with increasing verocity over the last few years with increasing numbers of small businesses (many of the fellow WAHMs - work at home mums) and I thought I'd start to feature some of their news here too and hopefully introduce them a customer or two! If you are interested in being features let me know what you are up to and I'll do my best!

Many of the people I'll feature are also friends on myspace - feel free to add me as your friend - http://www.myspace.com/littlesheeplearning if you want to network there!

Dressing Skills

Does your child need help with dressing themselves? Are they struggling with zips, laces, buttons, poppers velcro, snappers, buckles? If so this is the book for them.

This lovely fabric Skills Book is great for practicing independent dressing skills. Tie up the shoelace, unzip and zip up the sleepsuit, undo and do up the poppers on the blouse, buckle and unbuckle the belt on the shorts,button and unbutton the shirt, practice pulling apart and sticking together the velcro on the glove and pressing and pulling apart the snapper on the purse.

Bean Bags

We have some more new products at Littlesheep Learning we received the box late yesterday and it is very exciting unpacking them and finding that they really are even better than they look in the pictures. We are pleased to announce the arrival of colour, shape and number bean bags. We'll add some teaching ideas for these products shortly - so do add your ideas!

The colour beanie bags set of 10 coloured bean bags (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, grey and brown) have the name of each colour stitched onto one side and are ideal for early colour recognition. Each bean bag measures approximately 10cm and can be stored conveniently in the drawstring cloth bag.


The shape beanie bags are a set of 8 shaped bean bags (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, star, oval, pentagon and hexagon) with the name of each shape stitched onto one side and are ideal for early shape recognition. Each bean bag measures approximately 10cm and can be stored conveniently in the drawstring cloth bag.


The number beanie bags set contains 20 bean bags with the name and number stitched on either side - ideal for a wide range of counting and number games. Each bean bag measures approximately 7cm and can be stored conveniently in the drawstring cloth bag.

We hope to be adding alphabet beanie bags in the future so do keep checking back for updates.

Do you like my blog?

I've just been listing my blog in various directories and the like to try and get more people reading it and commenting (I feel like I'm talking to myself a lot!). Anyway I've just listed it on Technorati and you can add it to your favourites if you want by clicking on the little button below (please!).

NAS - Thomas and Friends Suvey

I was just browsing the National Autistic Society (NAS) website and came across information about their Thomas and Friends Survey.

In 2002, The National Autistic Society (NAS) commissioned a small research project to better understand the special relationship between children with autism and Thomas & Friends. The research showed that for many children, Thomas has been a vital point of entry to the world of communication and play.

Since then, the NAS has worked closely with the Thomas & Friends brand and we are delighted to announce that donations raised through the partnership have just reached over £780,000!

To celebrate, they have launched a new research study on a larger scale to further explore the special connection between children with autism and Thomas.
To get involved, please complete the online questionnaire or call 020 7903 3648 for a telephone interview before Friday 8 June. As a thank you, all participants will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five family tickets for a 'Day out with Thomas'.

Socially Speaking

Now stocked at Littlesheep Learning, Socially Speaking is a fantastic communication programme aimed at children in Key Stages 1 and 2. It consists of a book and a game to help teach and reinforce social skills in a fun way.

The Socially Speaking book will help you to introduce and practice the skills children need to develop and maintain relationships and to lead independent lives. It is a unique social skills programme which lasts a whole year and is divided into three units: let's communicate, let's be friends and let's practise. As children progress through the carefully structure programme, their self-esteem will increase, their listening skills and expressive language abilities will improve, and everyone will benefit from enhanced social interaction with the class. Socially Speaking contains teaching notes, photocopiable A4 illustrated worksheets, assessment and evaluation forms.

The Socially Speaking Game is designed to complement the Socially Speaking book, and focuses on social interaction in 3 key areas: home, school and the wider community. Through a variety of role-play and problem-solving activities, children are given the opportunity to practise vital skills such as listening, turn taking, giving compliments, asking questions, making telephone calls and conveying emotions. Contains game board, 100 question cards, playing pieces and teacher's notes. Ideal for 3-6 players at Key Stage 1 & 2, plus older children with special needs.

Today's picture

Today I've been busy networking! As well as the blog here Littlesheep Learning also has a prescence on MySpace. So today I designed a nice little message to send to my friends.



Want to be my friend on MySpace? Feel free to ask! I'm particularly interested in networking with other Work at Home Mums (WAHM), parents, parents of children with special educational needs and parents who home educate.

Every Disabled Child Matters (again!)

A key part of the EDCM campaign is raising the profile of disabled children's issues locally. They need your help to make disabled children matter in your local area. They have prepared a new online action that allows you to email a letter to the editor of the local newspapers in your area. This letter highlights their Local Authority Charter, and calls on every local authority to sign up to it.

They need everyone who lives in a local authority that has not yet signed up to take part in this action. The following local authorities HAVE already signed up: Cornwall; Devon; Dudley; Ealing; East Riding of Yorkshire; East Sussex; Enfield; Halton; Hertfordshire; Hull; Islington; Kingston upon Thames; Lambeth, Lincolnshire; Luton; Nottinghamshire; Solihull; Somerset; Southwark; Stockport; Sunderland; Telford and Wrekin; Tower Hamlets; Wokingham. PLEASE TAKE ACTION!

If your own local authority is NOT listed above:

1. Please take part in our new action, by sending an email to the editor of your local newspapers.
2. If you have not yet done so, you can also send an email direct to the Councillor with responsibility for children's services, who we want to sign the Charter.

If your own local authority IS listed above and has already signed up:

1. Download our new supporter briefing which gives ideas on how to help make sure that the Charter commitments are delivered. All of these actions can be taken forward at http://www.edcm.org.uk/la_charter

If you have any questions about this action, or anything about the campaign, get in touch with the campaign team on 020 7843 6318 or at info@edcm.org.uk

For more information see: http://www.edcm.org.uk

Time to Talk with Ginger Bear

We are delighted to announce that Littlesheep Learning are now stocking the Time to Talk communication programme in association with Ginger Bear. The Time to Talk programme consists of a book, a game and a friendly Ginger Bear Puppet.


The Time to Talk book contains activities to help Foundation Stage (Reception) and Key Stage 1 children gain access to the curriculum and develop friendships. School can be a frustrating and confusing experience for children who have not developed their communication skills and access to the curriculum may be difficult, as will developing co-operative skills and friendships. Written by the author of the best-selling Socially Speaking, Time to Talk has been developed to teach and develop oral language and social interaction skills to children aged 4-6. It contains 40 activity sessions, designed to take place 2 or 3 times a week, Time to Talk will help you teach and develop the 'rules' of interaction with the help of Ginger Bear who features in all the activities. The skills taught include: eye contact, turn taking, sharing, greetings, awareness of feelings, giving / following instructions, listening, attention and play skills.


The Time to Talk game is a fantastic board game that will teach and develop essential language and social skills to Foundation Stage (Reception) and Key Stage 1 children. The game is centred around Ginger Bear and is designed to complement the Time to Talk book. It is a fun and accessible way of helping younger children improve their communication skills and social interactions. Children have the opportunity to perform a variety of role-play activities, practice everyday actions and provide information about themselves. Through these enjoyable tasks they learn vital social skills including: listening, turn-taking, asking and answering questions, engaging in basic conversations, non-verbal communication, eye-contact and understanding feelings. Contains game board, 96 question cards, Ginger Bear toy, 4 Ginger Bear jigsaws, 4 playing pieces, die and teacher's notes

Finally the very cute and friendly Ginger Bear Puppet, will be an invaluable resource for all social, emotional and behavioural work with your child. It is ideal for use either on its own, or to accompany and enhance use of the Time to Talk book or game. Ginger Bear will encourage and develop a variety of social, communication and language skills such as turn-taking, active listening, role play and building friendships, and would be a popular addition to any classroom.

LEA / SEN Tribunal Blog Comments

Following an interview with Lord Adonis on BBC Radio 4's PM programme, discussing the LEA/SEN tribunal system, there was a huge public response on their blog. Lord Adonis insisted that there is no conflict of interest in the fact that LEA's are responsible for both assessing and funding provision for children with special needs. He also applauded the Tribunal system, which he said was completely free for parents, adding that the majority of parents are very happy with the system. The reporter Yvonne Murray did a great job and is keen to follow up. The blog is still running, so feel free to post your own views at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2007/05/children_with_special_needs.shtml