WHY AND HOW TO USE A VISUAL TIMETABLE EFFECTIVELY

Why you should be using a visual timetable in your classroom and how to use one. Add our ready to print editable visual timetable cards with real life photos to your classroom now!

One of the most effective tools I've used in my Early Years classroom is a visual timetable. 

Recommended by occupational therapists, special needs specialists, speech therapists and behaviour management coaches, a visual timetable is a must for any classroom.

Using daily schedule cards can support young children a number of different ways either individually or as a part of a whole group routine. Like anything to be effective, you need involve the children in the use of the timetable.

SPACE PRETEND PLAY - PLAY IDEAS AND RESOURCES TO MAKE

Looking at outer space in our class? Find plenty of space themed play ideas, simple DIY projects and other space exploration activities for your Early Years classroom here. 

One of the most powerful learning tools in the Early Years is engagement. 

As a teacher or parent you can provide children with the best resources and setting yet if it doesn't capture a child's interest, the learning opportunities can be lost. 

I am a strong advocate for purposeful play in early childhood. I do believe that play allows children to make progress in all aspects of their learning when it begins with their interests. 

Young children are fascinated by the world around them and pretend play allows them the opportunity to learn about the world in a safe, familiar environment. Imaginative play is a valuable part of play so when the children in my class were interested in space, I created a few simple resources for play to follow their natural curiosity and capture their interest.

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HOW TO HELP YOUR STUDENTS TO WRITE INDEPENDENTLY

These printable student helper desk mats offer the perfect level of support for young early readers beginning to write independently the Early Years.

A few years ago I worked in a Junior Primary classroom that had all sort of bits and pieces littering the desks students were using.

And I do mean littering.

There was an alphabet strip with the letters from A-Z plus a Jolly Phonics card showing all the letters, pictures and sounds.

They had a mini hundred chart for maths.

There was a skinny number line with all the numbers from 1-20 as well.

Then there was another tag with their name on it.

And they had a clip ring of sight words they could flick through plus their pencil case and a shared pot with glue, scissors and sharpeners in as well on every table.

Add some books, waterbottle and the occassional treasure found at lunch time and most children were finding it hard to contain all of this stuff to their tabletops.

It was a constant struggle.

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OUR TOP TEN POSTS OF 2015

It's been a busy year both in the classroom and here on the blog. I went into the classroom full time in 2015 teaching 4-7 year olds which saw more of the content on the blog switch more to school based posts. It was a change that saw the number of people visiting our page easily surpass 500,000 this year - double our visitors in 2014. So as we come to the end of another year, it's time to look back at your ten most favourite posts from 2015.