Using symbols to improve literacy attainment in children with EAL

Promote Positive Behaviour

You can use our software to write Stories to Help, behaviour expectations and classroom rules that help children understand the school’s behaviour policy.

Reduce Anxiety

You can use the ready made templates in our software to create visual timetables which will help children understand the structure of their day.

Foster Independence

By creating symbolised worksheets and label diagrams in InPrint 3, you can help all children to work independently.  

Pupil View

By using simplified, symbolised charts, you can create resources to find out how children feel about school and their specific provision.

Transition Books

It’s simple to use your own photographs and images in our software to make transition books for children.

Access to Curriculum

By using symbols across a whole range of templates you can increase access to text, allowing children to be more independent.

Extend Vocabulary

By creating vocabulary flashcards and sheets, you can help extend vocabulary, support independent writing and topic work.

Improve Engagement

You can use the desk top publishing features in InPrint 3 to create accessible worksheets for children helping them to engage with the curriculum.

Support Literacy Skills

You can create symbol-supported stories, model texts, worksheets, instructions and information sheets to support children with decoding and / or comprehension difficulties.  

Support EAL

You can create Dual Language resources, in Widgit Online, to support EAL children learn English, be more independent and feel more confident in their environment.  

Stories to Help

The addition of symbols to a Story to Help can help with understanding and in times of particular stress can be a way of a child processing information more easily.

Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation help children understand how their behaviour impacts those around them, and learn what tools they can use to manage their feelings and states.

Pupil Voice

Using symbolised resources to support children to share their views about school ahead of their annual reviews.

Mini Visual Timetables

Daily mini visual timetables can support a child with severe anxiety and provide information on the stucture of the day.

Positive Behaviour Cards

A collection of behavioural expectation cards attached to a lanyard means that when the need arises in class, you have all the tools to hand.

Illustrating Concepts

Using Widgit Symbols to illustrate the meaning of a concept can help children learn and retain specific vocabulary more easily.

Board Games

The ready made board game templates in our software make it quick and easy to create symbolised resources to reinforce any learning activity.

Signage and Labelling

Symbolised signage and labelling throughout the classroom creates an environment where children feel safe and secure and can access tasks independently.

Communication Labels

Pre-scripted and symbolised phrases can help support a non verbal (or EAL) child to communicate their specific needs to staff.

Emotions

It's important to teach children to identify emotions and strategies to help themselves when they are feeling a particular emotion. Using symbols to illustrate that emotion and provide practice tasks can be very helpful.

Movement Breaks

For a child with high sensory needs, movements breaks can be essential. Allowing a child to choose, through symbolised cards, can increase their motivation to complete the exercises.