Notes about how we deliver the message rather than what the message is. Language learning is integral to teaching.

See guide for information. The two Spot books are well-known. The resource can be used for eliciting animal names and for asking/answering What and Where questions. Mostly symbol-reading design using PCS or Widgit symbols.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. A selection of pictures chosen for their usefulness in making up good sentences to include who/doing what/where information and for asking questions to elicit this information. Could also be used for discussion starters and EAL. Suggestions repeated on each page so you can print each page on A4 a page at a time if that’s more convenient, or in a full 2-sided set.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. A large file for clear photos in two parts. (The alternative single Smaller MATCH file will take less time to download but the photos are not quite as sharp.) Print 2-up single-sided on A4 card. One page of suggestions for working on matching with severely delayed children. One page on how to move on and/or work with other more able children, possibly in a mixed ability group. 11 common objects are shown as photos and symbols in two sizes.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Sets of cards to use with coloured shapes you will probably have already. This is an example of making add-on activity cards to extend the usefulness of standard materials. You can match the pictures, give instructions to another person to make them, count shapes to match the dice/numbers, and even master Venn and Carroll diagrams in easy stages.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. CHRISTMAS VOCAB page: General vocabulary to print on A4 paper (or card for games).PICTURES FOR NATIVITY STORY: Print on A4 paper to do cut-and-stick in the book layout. (Or make two copies on card to do matching or Pairs.) Print 2-up on A4 paper: CHRISTMAS STORY - the pages have text, and box for the picture. Draw, or stick in the Nativity story pictures. WRITE THE CHRISTMAS STORY is an outline with a box to draw in or stick the Nativity story pictures in, and space for writing in. Some spellings provided.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. The MAKING A CAR story can be printed 2-up on paper. It is fairly repetitive and easy to read with some symbol support. It relates to the curriculum early learning about how wheels help things move. Plenty to discuss from the bossy friend to polite requests. WHEELS VOCABULARY page shows related pictures and gives more discussion suggestions. Print this A4 size to keep in a vocabulary folder for revision and use in odd moments.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Illustrated simple seaside vocabulary/ Illustrated vocabulary for activities and entertainments then and now/ 1-6 counting book/ 5-1 counting down rhyme/ Worksheets (Odd one out/ Spot the difference/ Association pairs).

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Simple pictures of early vocabulary in two sizes. Suggestions on the first page for use to make a barrier game to practise comprehension and expression, Lotto and Pairs. Children who use Makaton are likely to know the signs for these words. Print the games pages on A4 card for a reasonable size.

A story to encourage clear pronunciation. The text is as far as possible made up of CVCV words and is illustrated with PCS or Widgit symbols. See guide for more information.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Eight pages with an action picture and 3 symbols to stand for Subject-Verb-Object. ‘Symbol reading’ can be an excellent way to prompt children with delayed language skills to string more words together in the correct order. Accept any efforts at a word for each symbol without correction or asking for the child to copy you. However you can give praise and confirm the effort by saying back the simplest grammatical version of the child’s effort.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Some ideas for use, plus 8 ‘books’. Print the books double-sided on A4 and fold. Target language and concept development and encourage word recognition with repetitive text. Designed for children with delays in language and general development.

Print both files on A4 card, single-sided. DOMINOS: Cut to make dominos i.e. each card will have two animals on it. You can use one or both pages at once. Useful for reinforcing animal vocabulary. LOTTO: you will need two copies of these pages so one can make the four boards and one can be cut into the matching cards. It is useful to practise vocabulary with a selection of pictures: photos, realistic drawings and fanciful representations.

Two sets of domino cards to print on A4 card, single-sided. One has letters only, the other has a picture with the upper case letter plus 'I begin with...' to match to the lower case letter on the next card. Could also be printed on paper for children to cut out and stick in order to make a 'banner'.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Both activities can be used as barrier games where adult and child can take turns, first to direct and then to do the action. See guide for ideas.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Print 2-up and double-sided on A4 paper to make a folded 'booklet' (or on card single-sided to cut into separate cards). Four examples for each preposition aimed at eliciting 4-word sentences. Easy to make your own extra booklets if you have Word and CIP available.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. A collection of different activities to promote naming, matching, odd one out, spot the difference, counting, and symbol reading. Suitable for young children and those in KS2 with e.g. Down's Syndrome. Some pages can be printed 2pp to the sheet but others for use in games will need to be printed A4 size for clarity and ease of handling.

See guide for ideas to develop appreciation of matching objects to pictures and finding things by tactile means.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Using the program Communicate:In Print you can help children with little speech but lots of ideas to get something on paper. Making story-boards provides the opportunity to elicit ideas, organise narrative, invite choosing, and make the child's idea come alive. The adult can add text later and put symbol support on critical key words. Then an adult can read the text and the child can 'read' the symbolised words to tell the story. He will be practising some important pre-reading skills.

Symbols (c) Widgit Software 2010. Two sets of dominos with verbs that occur with different prepositions as phrasal verbs. See guide for ideas.