Christmas Communication Signs and Symbols

I know it's only Sept but some people already seem to be on the Christmas Planning already (I'm not that organised) so thought I'd start (or attempt to, depends on organisation) posting resources and ideas that support individuals with SEN and or Additional Needs and their inclusion in the advent/ christmas activities/ events.

So starting with communication, which is obviously a key aspect of inclusion of anyone but it's essential that we get it right.
A few things to consider relating to Communication, Additional Needs and SEN

• Attempt to simplify and reduce language, particularly ensuring you reduce jargon and cliches 
• Speak clearly
• Speak at a steady pace that isn't too fast and ensure some pauses between important points (not long silences, just a pause)
• Supplement spoken language with changes to pitch and tone appropriate to what is being said with appropriate (maybe exaggerated) facial expressions
• Supplement spoken language with visuals e.g. gestures, props, pictures, signs and symbols (some ideas for this below)
• Idioms can be difficult for some people with additional needs, such as autism to understand. (Also consider the use of metaphors with some individuals, who may need more concrete examples I remember talking to a very verbal teen with additional needs after a talk using the metaphor that we should be like a stick of rock have Jesus' name running through  us, she said she thought the talk was great I asked what they liked the reply "Christian's should be crispy like a stick of rock")
• Offer appropriate/ adapted opportunities for the individual to communicate alongside peers (you will need to consider the individual needs)
• Ensure you communicate with the individual, their parents or carers about their needs and adapt accordingly 
• Make inclusive practices a part of your "usual" practices, consider how the TV show Something Special has made Makaton mainstream.

Makaton Signs and Symbols
"Makaton uses signs, symbols and speech to help people communicate.  Signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order.  This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying.  Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear.  Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign." (Makaton website) 

• Makaton Signs and Symbols (originally from the Makaton website) check out the Makaton website for free resources at regular intervals.

• We wish you a merry Christmas Makaton You Tube video from Singing hands.

Symbols

"Symbols are images which are used to support text, makingthe meaning clearer and easier to understand. They provide a visual representation of a concept." (Widgit) 

There are a range of symbol sets e.g. Widgit Symbols, Picture Comuncation Symbols (PCS), and obviously Makaton. Symbols can be used to aid understanding and individuals communication.

• Widgit Nativity symbols and story pack

• Symbol World online Nativity story

• Christmas Communication Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) secular and Christian

• Christmas Communication board for craft activities (PCS)

British Sign Language

The sign system by some members of the deaf community in Britain.

• Silent Night British Sign Language (and other songs) recorded for youtube

• Silent night British Sign Language, printable song. It costs £1.99 to download

• BSL We Wish you a Merry Christmas Printable

Check out one of my previous Inclusive Christmas Post

God So Loved the World/ God loves me pockets

Thinking about supplementary materials for God so loved the world/ God loves me etc. or any from the love themed stories/ passages in the Bible, I've made these heart pockets. They could be used to colour match people to (I may even make a set to coordinate to the Jesus loves the little children song, we currently have pictures of children dressed in those colours to accompany the song), to put little hearts inside, crosses, matching coloured sheep etc. 

Prayer Prompt Blocks

  

To support prayer times, I have created prayer prompt blocks with "jenga" type blocks by burning widget symbols on of themes children may like to pray about. These can be used; to hold during related prayers, to communicate what children want to pray for non verbally (if there are language or communication difficulties or just choice) ; to prompt prayers; to pray about many things each adding a prayer until a wall is built etc.

Bible Verse Cube

I was thinking of possible ways of communicating key verses to children, and thought wooden cubes/ blocks would be a great way to communicate a short verse in 6 symbols. I have attempted to draw Widgit symbols to communicate the most famous verse in the world John 3:16. The bold words are the symbols (ish)

"For God so loved the world He gave his only son, that who ever believes in Him shall not die but have eternal life."

I feel this will support all children, but will be of particular value to non readers and those who have additional needs.

Mr Noah Built an Ark

Someone just reminded me on Facebook  Group a song we used to sing A LOT, so found the picture cards to go with it and thought I'd share. The cards were created to create structure and consistency (I have several of them and will post them) for a little one with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The song is sung to tune of Old MacDonald and the cards are used as follows. 

The above card is on board/ floor (add velcro to the squares if on board) children take it in turns to choose two matching animals and place on the boat (or one choses one animal and another child finds the pair) we then sang the verse and put the animals in a box until we'd finished the song.

Dependent on the needs of your group you may want to use soft toys in addition to or instead.

The cards can be downloaded here for free (sorry for any copy write breech) You'll need to print two copes of the animals

Bible Sensory Bottles 1

Sensory/ discovery bottles are popular around the world with babies and toddlers (and even preschoolers) and can be used in a variety of ways; to look at and explore, to prompt a story/ song/ concept, sorting, knocking down etc. Here are a few ideas for sensory bottles relating to Bible stories, they can be used to simply explore independently or with support or to accompany the story getting each bottle out in turn (for preschoolers you could number them so they can retell the story)

Creation:

• Black tissue paper
• Neon sticks (cracked and put inside – will last few hours)
• Glow in the dark stars and star sequins
• Soil
• Sand
• Silk flowers (ones cut off a hawaiian leis from pound shop are great)
• Water, oil and liquid soap bubbles (add blue food colouring)
• Feathers
• Water and little fish beads/ sequins/ tiny plastic ones
• Tiny plastic animals (put some sand in also)
• Hand and feet buttons/funky foam cut outs and googly eyes
• White tissue paper (symbolise rest)

Noah:

• lolly pop sticks and match sticks (Noah built ark)
• Bottles filled with objects of a single colour (as above) in rainbow colours
• Rainbow bottles (fill with objects of rainbow colours e.g. beads, pom-poms, match sticks, buttons, feathers etc.)
• Tiny animals
• Water oil and blue food colouring
• White feathers (dove)
• Fake leaves off of silk flowers or funky foam (the leaf the dove returned)
• Sand/ soil

Row Row Row Your Boat Song Cards

That classic children's song/rhyme Row Row Row Your Boat, has a few verses added by creative persons along the way no doubt but most people stick to merrily rowing and screaming at crocs. So I've collected them together  including some lovely Christian verses that would most defiantly complement a few Bible stories (including Paul at Sea)