Santas Elves - Random Acts of Kindness

In this crazy and busy season it is so easy to get caught up in the dreaded TO DO list.
Everyone is rushing and worrying about gifts, if there is enough food and when to see everyone that needs to be remembered at this time of the year (Huge Sigh)

How do our children feel in all of this madness?  Yes, the crazy season affects all of us.

This year I wanted my children to think about something other than the gifts they were going to get and what Christmas can give them.  Luckily, they were exposed to this in a small way at their schools, when we had the opportunity of donating a present to a charity as well as completing 'Operation Christmas Child' (have a look at this if you have not seen it before - this was a very special activity to do: http://operationchristmaschild.org.au/)

It has been lovely for them to try their hand this year at Secret Santa.   This gave them a lovely opportunity to actually choose the gift they wanted to give to someone in the family.  They went in pairs and purchased the gifts themselves as well - which made it even more special.

I am always trying to think of ways to extend the sibling bond, and working within the family unit to really care about each other.  I loved watching everyone post 'elf on the shelf'' blogs and instagram pictures, and decided to create:

 Santa's Elves-Random acts of Kindness

This has been a fun activity.  Each day when they peeled back the layer on their advent calendars they also had to choose a Santa's elf lucky dip from their Santa hats.

Inside the Santa hats they found a square of paper with today's activity written on it.  They then had to achieve their 'Act of  Kindness' to receive the advent treat.  I was thrilled to see my children take this activity on with loads of enthusiasm.  They were so excited to see what Santa Elf activity they would be doing each day.

Unfortunately, 25 days of kindness was too much kindness for my busy children, but it was very successful for approx 15 days of kindness - which was better than if we had not done it at all.  Activities were centred mainly around the family, however there was the odd activity like - buy a friend something from the canteen at school, or offer to help your teacher that related to people outside the family.  I was even thrilled to see that the children would choose each other differently to perform the acts of kindness to, nobody missed out.  I loved receiving a note telling me 3 things they loved about me - but they also chose to do this for each other as well, which absolutely warmed my heart.

This is a busy and crazy time of the year, but it is the special traditions and the added 'Random Acts of Kindness' that you can fit into your day and the day of your children which help to make this holiday season so special.

For the Love of Learning

Donna

Feedback is FABULOUS

Like the parents at our learning programs, I too have the opportunity to sit at my own children's activities.  These activities offer a product, as does ED Specially4U.  As the parent, we are paying businesses to offer a great product and service. Most importantly we are entrusting them to do the best service we can for our children.

I often wait at classes and contemplate feedback that I would like to give the teacher/coach/facilltator, in the aim that it can be acknowledgement of their hard work and dedication and sometimes to offer some advice from a parent perspective.  Often consumers are hesitant to present feedback as we are unsure how it will be received.  I do try to regularly say positive thoughts about how I find the product or service that they are offering.
    
Of course I love hearing positive praise for our programs and our fantastic teachers.   However, I also appreciate when people take the time to offer constructive ideas and suggestions. I want to know that parents believe the programs that we offer are as FANTASTIC as we think they are.   I passionately believe in what we do.  I am so proud of the product and services that we offer, and am proud of the strength of our unique programs.  I also value the feedback of our parents and caregivers.  Our teaching team regularly discuss our program and any changes that we feel are necessary, this is all in the aim of producing the best learning experiences for our families.

In the last couple of weeks we have handed out feedback forms to our families - and we really would like to hear from you.  Any suggestions are taken as constructive, and I feel this assists us to develop the best learning programs.

I have included a copy of the feedback form here, if you missed out on a copy please feel free to download the form and return it to: edspecially4u@bigpond.com

We have already started to receive completed forms.  Thank you to those families who have taken the time to do this already.

To end on a super proud note, I would like to share some lovely comments that we have received so far:

'the teacher is friendly and willing to spend time with me to discuss about my son's development and give suggestions on helping him to get ready to school'

'I am very glad that I found this program for both my kids.  Both kids have been advanced compared to if we hadn't done the program'

'her ability to trace, listen and learn the different phonetic sounds associated with the alphabets'

'mix of singing, reading, learning and arts & crafts'

'I would highly recommend to friends and families'

Thank you for the appreciation and the prompt feedback

For the Love of Learning

Donna

Music and Song- ED Specially 4U

Throughout all of our fun classes we use music to assist the students with their learning.  Music and song is an highly motivating resource that definitely makes LEARNING FUN.  All children (and adults too) learn better when exposed to music in their learning environment.

When I first started teaching in schools, I worked in classes for children with moderate to severe intellectual ability.  This included but was not exclusive to children with autism, children who may have been deaf and blind, non verbal students and students with physical disabilities.  Whilst working in this situation I discovered the necessity of visual support to assist learning and enjoyment (this is in the days before clever computer programs - this was in it's infancy,  and tablets that now assist learning to be motivating!! ok I am feeling old)

In a  time-consuming fashion we created hand drawn and photocopied visual resources to use for our teaching.  My essential teaching kit consisted of motivating singing resources, designed in this fashion.  I fortunately took this with me when I travelled overseas and used this same kit with children in specialised language classes and mainstream infant school classes.

It was of course, then one of the highly important elements to add to the program when designing the ED Specially 4U school readiness program.


As time and technology have progressed, so did the quality of the resources - until they are the motivating, and fun, hands-on resources that we use today. 

The great advantage to visual singing resources is that they offer a motivating opportunity for children to understand the lyrics of the songs, as well as offering a visual cue to sequence the songs in correct order.

Each of the resources use different elements to assist the learner, whether it be velcroed images that peel off, or several pieces in each pack so students can have a hands-on learning experience with them.

ANIMAL SONGS TO REINFORCE COUNTING & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

These cute and motivating resources teach counting in  forward and backward motion as well as numeral sequencing, as well as giving the students lots of opportunity to explore the rhythm and rhyme of the songs.

 

5 little Speckled Frogs

5 little ducks

6 little ducks

5 Cheeky monkeys jumping on the bed

 

5 Cheeky monkeys swinging from the Trees

5 Grey Elephants

10 in the Bed

3 Jellyfish

 COUNTING & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE USE OF ORDINARY OBJECTS, such as:

5 Sizzling Sausages

This old Man

 

5 in the bed

10 Green Bottles

LANGUAGE DEVELOPED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF VISUAL RESOURCES

These singing resources assist our students with turn taking, concept development, choice making and colour identification

 

Wheels on the Bus

Gallump the Frog

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Sing a Rainbow

I'm a Little Teapot

Hurry, Hurry Fire Truck

 As an addition to our Visual Singing Resources we also offer Singing Choice packs.  These packs offer a choice board with each song kit represented on a single card so that the students can choose a song they would like to sing

Our resources are all available through our website if you would like to purchase any for use at home.  We have 2 folders packed full of singing resources that have been widely purchased for use in preschools, early childhood centres,  special education classrooms, mainstream schools and playgroups/homeschool settings.  We are very proud of this resource and love being able to share this with our students to enhance both their learning and enjoyment.

Visit our website for further details at www.edspecially4u.com.au

For the Love of Learning

Donna

 

Reading and Phonics - the ED Specially 4U way

Introduction to Reading and Phonics: The ED Specially 4U way

Over the past 7 years the ED Specially 4U literacy programs have taught hundreds of children how to  read or started them on their road to literacy.  We are immensely proud of the unique program that has been developed based on over 20 years of classroom instruction.

What is phonics?  Quite simply it is letters and their sounds.

We developed our program using resources that are bright, colourful and motivating.  Our students love learning their letters with refreshing and 'hands on' learning resources.

LETTER STARS

This is our first step to phonics instruction.  Stars are the shape that we use within our program to signify that the sound is a 'beginning' sound of a word.  So from the first, we introduce sounds on these stars as we teach them in relation to real words that start with that sound. 
For example: /a/ is for apple.

Each different letter is given a colour, and this colour remains constant throughout all of our resources to assist in optimum learning.

Each letter has a group of words in which the targetted sound is the beginning of the word.  Coupled with the words is a graphic which can be represented in either line drawing or photograph dependent on the learning styles/ability of the student.  Each letter has 5 graphic cards to correspond with the letter star (with letter x as the only exception, with 3 graphic cards)

Letter Stars

Letters are introduced and letter name and sound is taught at the same time.  This activity becomes a lot of fun when it is presented with our Phonics 4U CD

PHONICS 4 U

This CD reinforces the letter name, sound and the names of each graphic which start with this sound, through repetition that the students quickly learn.

To further practice and reinforce the letter and it's sound we introduce each letter with an ED Specially 4U READER in both A4 and B4 sizes (which allows for classroom use).  Each student holds a B4 reader and completes tasks while looking at the letter which is printed in both Upper and Lower case as well as each of the graphics and their printed word.

B4 Beginning Letter Reader

A4 Beginning Letter Reader

As can be seen in this picture our students enjoy interacting with the reader.  This is a great opportunity to model and practice correct letter writing formation.  Our students also enjoy finding the targeted sound for the week at the beginning of the word - sometimes the words have the sound more than once and as an extension our students find the letter in different places in the word (ie. beginning and ending - 'w' for window).  This activity also allows discussion of what is a letter and what is a word - often something that our students are thinking about for the first time.

Our letters are reinforced with several different resources:

A4 wall display

Wall displays and charts are a fantastic tool to reinforce the letters, their sounds and the words that start with that sound.

a-z Letter Cards

Letter cards are extremely useful and we use these in both the coloured and non-coloured backgrounds.  The coloured backgrounds are used only in the beginning of instruction for those students who require extra support in identifying the letters.  Usually we practice with the non-coloured letter cards when we are starting to blend the sounds together to form words.

For students who have difficulty identifying the letters and recalling their sounds we use the
'3 & 6 Grid matching' activity.  This resource provides support to match the letters only for those who can, or to increase their skill to selecting the correct letter when requested by the teacher, until they are confident to name the letter and it's sound.  This resource is tailor made for our students who require extra learning support.

3 and 6 Grid Matching

Once we introduce the letters we then continue to reinforce them throughout our program as we learn new letters.  We try to do this consistently through games and hands-on learning opportunities to ensure that we are offering a multi-sensory learning approach.

Sometimes we reinforce the letter and sound learning by making playdough letters, writing in sand or shading sandpaper letters.  This can be achieved by using the laminated letter cards as a guide or the children can do this with just the letter as a model.

Each week we enjoy making a craft activity using the beginning sound we have targetted for the week.

/a/ is for ant

Students also practice their letter writing on our customised and personalised writing worksheets

Games are used weekly to reinforce the previous week's learning, and letters are constantly reviewed and reinforced this way. 

Look out for the ED Specially 4U beginning sound games blog to learn more about the games offered in our program.

Learning phonics at ED Specially 4U is a fun and motivating experience

For the Love of Learning

Donna

TERM 4 - Getting Ready 4 School

Welcome to Term 4!
This is always our busiest term with many new students joining our classes in preparation for classes or starting school next year.

It is such an exciting term, and the lead up to Christmas is so busy that this term always rushes by too quickly.

Our School Readiness program gives our students exposure to the academic skills they will further develop at BIG school. As always we recommend that you spend some time reinforcing the skills that we have taught each week.  Please refer to any of our hand outs and information on the blog, facebook, instagram and pinterest- ED Specially 4U sites.  Don't forget to discuss any other academic ideas with your teacher or refer to our website www.edspecially4u.com.au to see other games and resources to reinforce your child's academic learning.

For our students who are heading to BIG school next year, I have compiled a list of other suggestions to develop your child's social and emotional skills in preparation for the exciting times ahead.

1.  Orientation:  hopefully by now you should have chosen your school and enrolled your child.  Part of the enrolment process will include some orientation sessions for your child at their new school.  This activity is HIGHLY encouraged.  This gives your child the opportunity to see their new surroundings, as well as complete some academic skills in the new classroom.  They will also meet some of the teachers at the school including the principal.  They will work with other children who will be starting with them next year and will probably have the opportunity for social interaction in a play area at this time.  A lot of research and support is given to schools to make the orientation process a successful and interesting process.

2.  Social:  If your child knows any children starting school with them, make sure you organise 'play date' opportunities for your child.  This gives your child additional confidence when they start BIG school.

3.  Sport and Activities:  think about how you can assist your child to be confident in the playground.  From an early age we have taught our children to share and hope they will use these skills with other children at school.  Unfortunately the playground can be a very difficult area for our children - even those that have been encouraged socially.  After the preschool play area, the school playground can often seem boring with only minimal play equipment to occupy their time.  Teach your child how to play games they can use in the playground.  Children are creative and will quickly learn new games from their friends, however, learning some games to play can assist them to have a strong start to the school playground

4.  School Lunches:  Food can be a significant challenge for both parents and children.  It is always a challenge to find healthy choices that your child is happy to eat.  There are many internet sites that give better detail into healthy food choices, I only want to mention the importance of helping your child to eat their food

•  Schools have two different eating times during the day (with some having a third break - crunch and sip for a fruit and water break)  Your child needs to recognise which foods they should be eating at the different times of the day.  A great way to do this is to find out the times of your future schools' food breaks.  For instance, some schools have lunch earlier followed by a later afternoon tea break while other schools have this in reverse.  You can practise having food at these times with your child at home.  Pre-prepare a lunch box as you would for school.  Pack the lunch and recess foods into seperate containers/paper bags/ zip lock bags.
• Don't forget to teach your child to open all of the packaging.  If you are going to send pre-packaged foods, also teach your child how to open these.  If this is too difficult for your child make sure that you open the packaging for them to take to school - don't forget your child is one of a big group at eating times and teachers do not have time to assist each child with their lunches.

5.  Bathrooms:  another important area to assist your child is understanding how to use the toilet independantly.  This includes being able to undress and dress as necessary as well as using the bathroom facilities.  Children need to be independant in this area when they start school as teachers do not assist them in the bathrooms generally during the day.

6.  Hand Washing:  When you start a new school (whether you are a teacher or a student) you are exposed to lots of new germs.  Explain to your child how important good hand washing is.  Teach your child to wash their hands using soap and hopefully staying healthy as a consequence.

7.  School Uniform:  Your school will organise a time that you are able to buy your child's uniform.  This is a lot of fun for your child.  They will love dressing up as a BIG school student.  Be organised and enjoy this lovely time with your child.

8.  Looking after their own belongings: As every mother of a school child will tell you, school is a constant opportunity to lose your hat, jumper, socks?  All of your child's belongings need to be clearly labelled.  Your child needs to be able to recognise their own belongings, and you need to teach them strategies for keeping their belongings safe, ie. take your jumper off and place it in your bag.

9.  Sleep Routines:   A happy, successful day at school can be greatly influenced by the amount of sleep your child has had.  It is recommended that children between the ages of 5-12years have approximately 10-11 hours of sleep.  If your child is not currently in a good sleep routine, now is the time to encourage this.  Your child will work and play very hard at BIG school.  It is important they are fully rested to facilitate this.z

10  Morning Routines:  A huge cause of stress in households is the morning routine of preparing for school. Believe me! I know this all too well.  Assist your child to get ready for school in the mornings by giving them a visual schedule of the morning routines.

This is a practical and easy way to help your child get ready for school.
Make this a laminated board or place it into a clear plastic sleeve, then use a whiteboard marker.  As each activity is completed, your child can place a cross through the visual representation.  Everyone enjoys that feeling of crossing off a list - and this way your child can do it each time they complete a task.  Whiteboard markers can be rubbed off at the end of the day, ready for the next morning's organisation.

If you would like to customise your own morning routine board here is the display board:

Use the routine cards included her to either cut each one out seperately and attach to your display board in a sequence that best suits your family or make your own graphic cards using the blank templates to include other activities in your morning routine. 

You can attach the cards to the display board by glue before you laminate the display board or laminate each seperately and attach to the laminated base board with blu tack/velcro to allow flexibility in your daily routine.

Term 4 disappears very quickly.  Make sure you enjoy every precious moment with your child before they go to school.  This is a special time for you both.

For the Love of Learning

 

Donna