Childhood Development & Additional Needs

Children learn best through play and fun experiences - this is especially true in the early years. You might feel pressured that your child needs to be learning to read and write before school, but don't worry - there is plenty of time and every child is different.

Your child will learn things at their own pace. Helping them have the physical, social and emotional skills to cope with the new experiences they will have as they grow is important. Children learn best by playing and having fun with family and friends. 

• Story time and counting games are a great way to build their concentration span.
• Sharing books together is good for children. It helps with speech development and learning to concentrate.
• Look at books – read the words or talk about what you can see – children often like to look at the same book over and over. They like the repetition and learn language effectively this way.
• Try a trip to the library and let them choose which books to borrow, this might introduce a little variety. Don’t be surprised when they return to their old favourite!
• *Click Here* to find your local library.
• Some children will be interested in sounding out words in stories, or learning how to draw the letters for their names. If they want to do this, that’s great. If they are not interested just get back to enjoying the story, or drawing shapes. They will get there in their own time.