Links to information for parent/carers to support packs sent home:

Motor skills

Gross motor skills advice https://childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/application/files/5615/2153/8493/Promotion_of_Gross_Motor_Skills.pdf
Pre-writing skills advice https://childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/application/files/8415/2153/8493/Pre_Writing.pdf 
Handwriting advice https://childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/application/files/5315/2153/8492/Handwriting.pdf 
Using scissors advice https://childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/application/files/7815/2153/8492/Using_my_Hands_-_Scissors.pdf 

Handwriting
Penpals messages for parents https://www.cambridge.org/files/7314/9020/2522/PfH_Messages_for_Parents_combined.pdf 
Pencil Holds https://www.cambridge.org/files/5514/7645/5953/ppp_alphabet_pencil_hold_a3_poster.pdf   
Handwriting posture https://www.cambridge.org/files/7414/7645/5954/ppp_alphabet_posture_a3_poster.pdf   
Alphabet https://www.cambridge.org/files/9215/4290/3519/Penpals_Alphabet_Upper__Lower_A3_poster.pdf 

Speech and language
Speech sound production and language skills - Information, advice, games and activities for home https://speechandlanguage.info/parents
Top tips for developing talk  https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/media/617945/tct_toptips_pdf.pdf
Supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/media/3670/misunderstood_edition_2_final.pdf
Supporting children with no speech of whose speech is difficult to understand https://www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/media/3414/other_ways_of_speaking_final.pdf

OTHER WAYS TO HELP:

Everyday:

•  Talk to your child!  Encourage them to use longer sentences and develop their vocabulary.
•  Take an interest in what they are doing at school and always be positive.
•  Share books!  Read to your child, get them to read to you and talk about books.
•  Limit screen time, especially time spent on electronic games. Check they are only playing age appropriate games - they are over 18 for good reasons.
•  Ensure they get enough sleep. 

Occasionally/when necessary: 

•  Talk to your child's teacher about any concerns that you or your child have, or any changes in their lives.
•  Ask the teacher to give you ideas on how to support their specific difficulties.
•  Get eyes checked once a year, eye tests are free for children.

Encouraging your child’s language skills:

TALK WITH YOUR CHILD!

• Ask them about their day, interests, friends etc.
• Ask them their opinions eg. What’s their favourite TV programme and why? Talk about things that have happened.
• Get them to tell you about a story or TV programme they have seen. 

SHARE BOOKS WITH YOUR CHILD.

• Read to them.
• Makeup stories to go with the pictures.
• Retell stories together.
• Discuss your favourite characters or the funny bits of the story.
• Let them read to you.

PLAY GAMES:

Imaginative Play:

Let your child lead the way in developing make-believe stories.

• Tea parties.
• Shops
• Playing with dolls or action figures.

Play with pretend telephones.

Take turns to give each other directions around the house, or instructions.

20 Questions.

• One person thinks of an object and everyone has to guess what it is by asking up to 20 questions. The answer can only be yes or no.

Sports Commentary.

• The children describe things as if they were sports commentators. This could be when you get on with cooking dinner and they give you a running commentary!

TALK ABOUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!!!