Marvellous Education

Just had a message from Mr M to say that his class have fixed my computer... happy days!

OMG a game changer... the hours of my life I have wasted cutting out paper for the tuff spot!

Our white Tuff Spot Paper Pad is a great addition to your tuff spot range of accessories.

Let children's imagination and creativity run wild..... then tear it off or flip it over and start again!

🌟🌟NEW🌟🌟

Designed to fit perfectly in your Tuff Tray, this pad can be easily removed and stored ready for your tuff spot to be filled with whatever you want to throw at it next! 20 double sided pages at a great price! Link in the comments 💚

Now, more than ever....

Not quite the vocab I am familiar with but a really interesting analysis...

“As children develop and grow, so does their way of playing. Let’s take a brief look at how play develops and changes over time for children. Margaret Parten outlined the six stages of social play and it starts at birth.”

https://www.encourageplay.com/open-ended-play/

This is one mnemonic I might just try to remember...

Just this...

This is my most widely shared post. And rightly so, it’s an important one. These are “prewriting patterns”, with the average (not prescribed) age at which children are developmentally ready to achieve these patterns listed below them in years and months. Being able to process visual information and produce a movement in response (e.g. copying these prewriting patterns or letter formations), is known as “visual motor integration”. ⠀
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Note that an X is not typically achieved until 4 years 11 months, and a triangle at 5 years 3 months. If a child can’t form these basic shapes...then they probably won’t be able to form letters. ⠀
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It is quite concerning then that there are 3 year 7 month olds starting formal schooling, where they’re expected to write. Not only are their visual motor integration skills not developed enough, their hands are also physically under-developed. In addition, recognising letters, understanding phonics and beginning to read are all needed in order for a child to write meaningfully, skills which children starting kindy typically don’t have. We also know that when a child learns something that doesn’t hold meaning, it‘s unlikely to stick. ⠀
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So if you have a 3-4 year old who spontaneously asks or attempts to write letters, that’s great; otherwise, there is no need to initiate or worry about this. Unfortunately there is a misconception, particularly with the way that the current curriculum stands, that earlier is better. Earlier is not always better.⠀

Source: Beery Buktenica Test of Visual Motor Integration, 6th Edition
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With our half-term family art course now full, your next opportunity to enjoy family time with Natalie is on Saturday mornings in November on Zoom! Just click the link to book and pay for this fab course, funded by Hertfordshire Adult & Family Learning Service - HAFLS :-) https://www.cognitoforms.com/CLPSouthOxhey/_2020OnlineFamilyArtCLP

Always like an easy to maintain display....

Oh yes.....

Many people have kids with Sensory Processing Disorder and don't know there's a reason for their behaviors (and believe it or not, many adults have it and don't know... that was me a few years ago! 🤯)

So... here's a post explaining it a little bit.

***SPD is complicated and can look different in every person who has it. This is a quick list of possible ways it can manifest... but it's important to note that the left/right sides are not mutually exclusive. Many people exhibit a mix of behaviors from both sides.***

You can find some more SPD resources at nicolefilipponeauthor.com

Sometimes it's easy to forget that the child's wellbeing depends on the parent's (or the teacher's) and adults have challenges too. Be kind, you never know what another person is facing... I think this is a beautiful reminder.

Remember parents have sensory needs too