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COVID 19 Support
It is difficult for us as adults to take in all of the information and change that Covid-19 has caused in our lives. It is even harder to help children and young people cope with all the uncertainties and disruption. Social distancing, self isolation, school closures and food shortages – there is so much for children to process and make sense of.
We are building a collection of accessible information resources to make this process a little easier for families. We will be adding to this section every week, so please come back to find out what’s new.
Talking about Coronavirus
This is a simple social story with symbols to help explain the current situation, why we are not at school and what we can do to stay safe. If you think it would help your family then email us on WHCNHS.sltcovid19@NHS.net and we will be able to send it to you.
This is a social story to explain what Coronavirus is. You can download it here:
Some students, particularly those with ASD, will find the changes to school challenging to cope with. This is our guide to what might be difficult, how to explain and what a reasonable adaption might be. Download it here
Visual Support
Visual support can really help children to undertsand what they have to do and be more independent in their daily routines and in their learning. There are some visiual routines here to help children get organised for the day. Download our 'getting ready for the day' here and download our Study routine visual support here:
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Sownload our study routine for home learning here study routine 2021.pdf [pdf] 348KB
During Covid-19 handwahsing has become even more important. Here are some child friendly visual guides to how to do it right!
Download your washing hands task management board here. Download you staying healthy task management board here.
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Download handwashing task management boards for young people and adults here
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Supporting communication on a Video call
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Lots of children are used to having a visual timetable in school so they always now what is happening next and have a plan for the day. It can really help children feel more secure and less anxious. If you want to make them a timetable for home then we have one to download here:
Signalong
For more information about Signalong go to https://www.signalong.org.uk/
Signalong are currently offering a free signing manual to download here: https://www.signalong.org.uk/downloads/kAXOACTRDL4m3Qv.pdf
Download information about Signalong here
Did you know that we have a Get Worcestershire Signing playlist on our YouTube channel? This is a great way to learn some new key signs to support children in your setting. You can access the playlist below:
If you are working with a Signing Superstar you can record and recognise their efforts here! Download a signing log and take photos of signs they understand and signs they can use. Once they have 10 of each they can be awarded their Signing Superstar Certificate.
Download your Worcestershire Signing Superstar log here
Download your Worcestershire Signing Superstar certificate here
Modelling Symbols at Home
How to use Total Communication at home
How to follow a child's lead
Download our guide to modelling AAC with your child at home here: How to model AAC.pdf [pdf] 504KB
And here is a version for older children and young people: How to model AAC - older learner.pdf [pdf] 504KB
AAC An Introduction- with symbols.pdf [pdf] 339KB
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Supporting Anxious Children
Coronavirus brings lots of anxieties for adults and for children too. Our problem planner is useful to complete with older children and young people to help them to break the problem down, work out what they are ok about and what they are anxious about AND make a plan to feel more positive and in control. Here is one of our therapists, Monica Smith to explain how to use it:
Download our completed Coronavirus Problem planner here: Coronavirus Problem Planner
Dpwnload a blank version of the problem planner here: Coronavirus Problem Planner blank
Talking about the new school rules
Most of us will have some concerns about returning to school whether that is in the next couple of weeks or after the summer holidays. There are going to be lots of changes such as how we get around, how we socialise and how we learn. Some people will be anxious and unsure; others will be excited about being back in school again. Regardless of whether they are worried or excited, it is likely that they will have lots of questions about what is going to happen and you can help your child, or the children you work with, by remembering the following when you are talking about the new rules over the next few weeks. Download our 5 Cs guide to talking about the new school rules here.
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Here is our special Coronavirus version guide to what NOT to say to your worrier:
Coronavirus - What not to say to a worrier
Download a version of this suitable for Post 16 year olds here
Our Big World My World resource is really useful to help children realise what they can and cannot control. Letting other people manage the Big World and being positive about what we can do in our world can help children feel less anxious and more in control. You can download a completed one here and a blank version here:
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We also have some 'Big World My World' common themes:
Many young people we have been speaking to have similar concerns and worries about the current situation. We have completed a 'big world my world' form for the common themes we are seeing. These are added below as Word documents so you can edit them for specific situations and people. If you have other issues you would like us to add then please email us on WHCNHS.sltcovid19@nhs.net
- 'I am worried that when I get back to school everything will be different'
- 'I am worried that I am not at school and I will fall behind with my learning'
- 'I am worried that I will be going back to school and it won't be safe'
Children (like adults) deal with anxiety in different ways. Some children may want to talk about the current crisis all the time and some not at all. Here is our guide to getting the balance right!
Download a version of this suitable for Post 16 year olds here
Positive Action
Doctors and nurses and scientists and other key workers are being our superheroes at the moment but children can be superheroes too! Feeling that they are contributing and helping with the things that ARE in their control can help children feel less anxious and more positive. Here are some positive actions to try...
Take a superhero challenge here and download a certificate here to say THANK YOU for helping the NHS!
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Download conversation starters here |
Download knock knock jokes here |
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Download our Christmas list here |
Download top games here |
It is easy for parents to feel overwhelmed at the moment with so many things competing for attention. It is important to remember that lots of the things children enjoy doing at home are fantatsic learning opportunities that your children might not otherwise get the chance to experience. It's all learning! Here is our not-at-all exhaustive guide to things that count as home learning.
We are having to socially distance at the moment but we still need to be sociable. Download our visual to help young people understand how to do sociable social distancing here:
Let go of what you cannot control and focus on what you can! Download our lovely visual here to remind you:
Supporting home learning
Learning concepts can be tricky for some children and there is no better way than experiencing them in lots of different ways in real life situations. Taking children on a concept walk is fun AND a fantastic learning opportunity. We have lots of different concept walks to download below:
Daily Walk Challenge rainbow walk Walk by numbers
Shape spotting syllable search concept walk
Download our new Autumn walk here
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If you have family time together at the moment then games are a great way to practise talking, develop language skills as well as being fun! Here is our guide to top commercial language friendly family games. If you want some talking games that are unplugged and equipment free then here are our ideas for you!
Here our guide for how to support children on a video call. You can download this here
Can you learn to sing AND sign a rainbow?
Here is Jo telling us the Dear Zoo, Bear Hunt and Very Hungry Caterpillar stories with signs to help!
Useful Links
Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler has released a free book explaining coronavirus and you can download a copy here
Thinksmartbox Learning Grids
https://thinksmartbox.com/news/resources/low-tech-super-core-learning-grids/
Oak National Academy - specialist lessons
https://www.thenational.academy/online-classroom/specialist/#subjects