Handy links/resources

Since home educating, I’m searching on Google more than ever. I used to always be looking for different resources and ways to support Isabelle whilst she was in mainstream, but now I prepare and carry out all her learning, I spend a lot of time going through different sites and trying to find the best resources to support her.

I recently found these amazing books thanks to my sister who knew we were struggling with some emotional aspects of anxiety and fears at bedtime. I purchased these off Amazon, and they are picture books which are perfect for Isabelle as although she is 11, she enjoys being able to see what she is reading about, and her concentration span is short, so she won’t sit and listen or read for a long period of time.

Link for books @ Amazon:

https://is.gd/M12OhF

Another reading related tip is audio books. If you ask at your local library, you should be able to download borrow box on your iPhone. This allows you to read books on your phone and listen to audio books free. This is what Isabelle enjoys doing whilst settling to bed.

I use Twinkl quite a bit as they have a decent amount of free printables and it helps just browsing on there to see how they approach some of the learning and sometimes I then come up with my own ideas that are more relatable for Isabelle.

This is an example of an activity I printed free from Twinkl which is kinaesthetic so Isabelle can physically engage with it. She loves games so she was able to learn about shape,space, decision making and problem solving in a way she found relatable and fun.

She would normally find decision making and problem solving very frustrating but Isabelle wad enjoying herself and saw this as a game rather than feeling put on the spot.

With any activities or resources you find online, always look at what level and abilities they are aimed at and don't be afraid to alter them to suit your child's own needs and interests.

Isabelle loves going on the laptop or her iPad so this has been a good way to get her to engage with learning games such as through Hit the button and others which I will leave the links for.

When we are out and about, Isabelle can become more closed off and so not wanting to talk. Verbal me is a handy app from the iPhone Appstore which allows you to provide your own speaking buttons so that your child can push them and still verbally interact, giving them a voice when they physically can’t.

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/ (Free to sign up and then you can access lots of books to read online and lots of free activites to do and print).

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button (Lots of maths games)

https://smartclass4kids.com/science/animal-facts/ (Lots of quizzes and interesting facts based on Science, Maths and the Solar System)

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/inclusion-teaching-resources/ot-inclusion/self-help-skills-ot-inclusion (Lots of resources and free printables.

https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/games (Online games for learning and printable activity worksheets)