Teaching Assistant Facebook Group

I have just set up a Teaching Assistant Facebook group. If you are a TA or working in school supporting children then you are very welcome. Please go to the link and click 'Join'
Look forward to chatting to you!

Teaching Assistant Support and chat group

Phonics planning

On my 'phonics blog' I am writing a whole series of planning sessions aimed at children with SEN or children who are falling behind. Each day I am adding a lesson. You can access all the lessons so far by looking on this link.

Phonics for fidgets with felix is on facebook

Please visit the page and give it a like to get regular updates

Click here PHONICS FOR FIDGETS

Phonics for fidgets with Felix

I have been working on a separate blog for phonics. This blog is aimed at very beginning readers and has lots of practical, simple activities for children. It can be used at home with your child or in a class situation. It can be used by teachers or teaching assistants.

Click here to go to the blog. Follow the blog by email, this is situated on the right hand side of the blog a little way down.

Getting to know you game

This is a getting to know you game. It is intended as a group activity and is a great warm up. Children can discuss feelings and practice social skills by asking questions and giving eye contact to the person they are speaking to.

Download: Warming up group game

Download: Warming up group game 2

Please see

Social skills taking turns intervention

Social skills non verbal communication game

Social skills listening intervention

Social skills – how to be a friend workbook

My self care plan

I saw this idea on Pinterest and loved the idea. I completely adapted the sheet to fit in with ELSA work. I think working on one of these is so beneficial to all children. It makes them think about physical activity, what they eat, who are the people in their lives who they can trust? They can think and discuss with you their hopes and dreams, how they can relax, how they can be a good friend etc.

I would work on one section at a time. There are loads of worksheets here which can be downloaded to go more in depth with for example eating and physical exercise.

I just did a little research and found that physical activity for example has the following benefits and I am sure there are many more:

• improves mood
• improves social skills
• improves well being
• improves teamwork
• encourages healthy competition
• improves motor control
• reduces stress and anxiety
• improves fitness
• reduces obesity
• improves confidence
• Improves self-regulation of emotions

Encouraging physical activity has got to be a good thing!

Download: Self care plan

Would you rather?

This is a fab game to play with children to get to know them better. You can download the game from my website. Click here