Supporting Transition
TTS has been working with Alistair Bryce-Clegg on the importance of good transitions for both a child’s emotional wellbeing and their potential for attainment. Alistair says “The greatest inhibitor to attainment in schools is children’s self-confidence and level of anxiety. When children feel comfortable and ‘at home’ in their environment they are far more likely to succeed. When they are subjected to significant change it can take many children a long time to adjust to their new situation. During this period of adjustment their potential for maximum attainment is drastically reduced. To help alleviate the anxiety that children might have it is really useful when approaches to teaching and learning are harmonised at the point of transition”
To facilitate harmonised teaching and learning settings should have in place familiar resources which allow children to talk and discuss how they are feeling, before and after transition.
Wooden Writing Boards (EY05361), £19.99 are a simple, yet effective way for children to express how they are feeling. Made from Alder wood, they can be used both indoors and outdoors for writing. Try mark making, letters, words or mini messages on these double sided wooden slabs. Use a water based pen to write on and wipe off to be reused time and time again. This 4 piece set includes 3 small pieces and 1 large piece making it ideal for literacy and numeracy outdoors and the small hole at the top makes it ideal for hanging up the messages around the setting.
Outdoor Alphabet Eggs (EY05357), £59.95 are a fun, giant sized way of developing literacy skills and learning the alphabet. Each egg has a corresponding matching phoneme and picture and has both upper and lower cased letters displayed. Children will enjoy connecting and matching these Alphabet Eggs which can be used both indoors and outdoors. Made from EVA foam, the eggs can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and can be used as a practical aid to help practitioners gauge a child’s understanding of the alphabet.
The new Talking Clipboard is an innovative approach that combines mark making and communication, both in the outdoors and indoors environment. The sturdy plastic board is ideal for children to write on but the unique feature is the child friendly clip which includes a 40 second record function with easy to use controls. Now children can describe what they are drawing on the go or illustrate their own spoken stories. Available in A5 or A4 sizes, the Talking Clipboard is available as a single pack or a multiple pack of six.
To receive a copy of the 2014 Early Years Catalogue call TTS on 0800 318 686 or for further information on any of these products please visit www.tts-shopping.com/earlyyears
ENDS
For reviews, features, testing or competition opportunities please contact Ros Harker @ Vivid Communications on 0114 274 5691 or email ros@vividcomms.co.uk
