Cognition and learning resources
Resources to support children and young people with learning difficulties, or a difficulty in a specific area, such as reading or maths. For those who may need additional support with attention, memory, or organisation.
Cognition and learning: activities and resources for children and young people
Cognition and learning: activities and resources for children and young people
The websites below are filled with fun games, activities and learning for a wide range of learning needs.
Please ask an adult to help you explore the websites!
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Audible | Free audio stories - ask an adult to help set up an account. |
| SymbolWorld | SymbolWorld is a website created for symbol users. It has material for all ages and includes news, personal contributions, stories and learning materials, all supported with Widgit Literacy Symbols. |
| Easterseals | Resource containing templates for visual timetables, Now/Next boards, visual symbols etc. |
| CBeebies (toddlers and preschoolers) | Games and activities for toddlers and preschoolers. |
| CBeebies (primary age children) | Games and activities for primary aged children. |
| PhonicsPlay | Phonics games. |
| Priory Woods School | Accessible counting and clicking games. |
Cognition and learning: resources for parents and carers
Cognition and learning: resources for parents and carers
Explaining Coronavirus
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| BBC Newsround Coronavirus | A simplified explanation of the Coronavirus pandemic which may be suitable for older children or young people with learning difficulties. |
| Nurse Dotty Books: Dave the Dog is worried about coronavirus | A book explaining Coronavirus which may be suitable to help explain the virus to children with learning difficulties. |
| Linda Hodgdon: Autism and Coronavirus - helping students understand | Guidance for helping explain Coronavirus for children with ASD which may be helpful for all children with learning difficulties. |
| Winston's Wish: Bereaved children with SEND | Supporting children and young people with learning difficulties and Autism with death and bereavement. |
Creating a positive home learning environment
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| BBC Bitesize: Parents' Toolkit SEND | Parents' Toolkit: SEND provides resources, activities and support to help parents and carers during lockdown. Areas include: supporting wellbeing; activities and learning; tips and advice; personal stories section; learning with BBC Bitesize. |
| UCL Institute of Education: Homeschooling children with SEND | A series of information resources to help support pupils with SEND at home during the period of school closures. Includes: managing the transition to homeschooling; communication and interaction; social, emotional and mental health for young people and families; real life learning. |
| The School Run: SEN home learning survival guide | SEN Home Learning 'survival guide' offering practical tips to help establish a positive home learning environment. |
| Special Educational Needs Resources blog: Top tips for homeschooling during a pandemic (by parents) | Top tips for homeschooling during a pandemic (by parents). |
Resources for teaching at home
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Durham SEND and Inclusion App Resource | Do you have an iPad or tablet device? This interactive resource contains a range of apps which may be beneficial for children and young people with SEND and is intended as a useful starting point for parents, school staff and professionals. |
| Gov.uk: Coronavirus (Covid-19) List of online education resources for home education | The government has brought together an initial list of online educational resources to help children to learn at home. The list is split into subjects, including SEND. |
| Twinkl: SEND school closure home learning resource pack | Free pack of activities for parents and carers to use at home with SEND children. Packs for different ages are available. |
| Oxford Reading Tree free ebook library | The stories of Biff, Chip and Kipper are free to read at present. There are also older free books for children to read. |
| Pearson: Support for parents and learners during Coronavirus | A website with free activities, tools and advice to support learning at home. Includes sample home-school planners, reading and maths support, and access to free eBooks. |
| Scholastic Learn At Home | A range of learn at home projects sorted into specific year groups and weeks. There are resources for families and for teachers as well as tips and tricks to help. |
| The world of David Walliams | Stories and activities all inspired by David Walliams' books and stories. |
| National Literacy Trust (Words for Life) | Offers evidence-based resources, research and training aimed at improving reading, writing and language development. Free activities and ideas based around books. Also features ideas for apps and other media to support literacy learning. Extensive 'family learning zone' organised into different age ranges. |
| Easterseals | Resource containing templates for visual timetables, Now/Next boards, visual symbols etc. |
| Art Institute of Chicago: Art-Making Activities | Art making and creative activities based on the museum's extensive collection. Activities include creative writing prompts as well as visual art activities. |
| Facebook group - SEND lockdown essentials | Facebook group run by SEND Essentials: a parent/carer group sharing learning and information resources to support each other with SEND issues. |
Cognition and learning: resources for professionals
Cognition and learning: resources for professionals
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Durham SEND and Inclusion App Resource | Do you have an iPad or tablet device? This interactive resource contains a range of apps which may be beneficial for children and young people with SEND and is intended as a useful starting point for parents, school staff and professionals. |
| Gov.uk: Coronavirus (Covid-19) List of online education resources for home education | The government has brought together an initial list of online educational resources to help children to learn at home. The list is split into subjects, including SEND. |
| Pearson: Support for parents and learners during Coronavirus | A website with free activities, tools and advice to support learning at home. Includes sample home-school planners, reading and maths support, and access to free eBooks. |
| Art Institute of Chicago: Art-Making Activities | Art making and creative activities based on the museum's extensive collection. Activities include creative writing prompts as well as visual art activities. |
| RSPCA: Quick bites of animal welfare | Engaging activities aiming to get young people thinking and debating animal issues whilst incorporating subjects such as science and PSHE. Free resources are easy to access online from your home. |
| National Literacy Trust (Words for Life) | Offers evidence-based resources, research and training aimed at improving reading, writing and language development. Free activities and ideas based around books. Also features ideas for apps and other media to support literacy learning. Extensive 'family learning zone' organised into different age ranges. |
| TES: Phonics for pupils with special educational needs | Free resource for teaching phonics for pupils with SEND. |
Contact us
- SEND and Inclusion Service (EDC)
- 03000 263 333
-
Our address is:
- Education Development Centre
- Enterprise Way
- Spennymoor
- County Durham
- United Kingdom
- DL16 6YP
Related information
