Home Learning

25 Fun Free Maths Activities & Games

Maths Activities for years 3 to years 6

The stay at home survival guide, play and learning ideas for self-isolation.

The Imagination Tree

Practical Activities

Poundbury Young Engineers Facebook Page – Science Technology Engineering Mathmatics – STEM activities Poundbury Young Engineers

Water painting

Ask children to paint their fences or walls with water. Paint water pictures on patios…

Design a new outside area at Mountjoy

What would they like to have in the end field area? More play equipment, wildlife area, willow shelter etc.

Design a new animal

Draw or create a model of a new animal. What is it called? What colour is it?

Keep a diary Similar to what CS used to do on a daily basis in Cedar – a line or two with a drawing.

Click the link here – Pinterest Board created by a member of Mountjoy Staff with a wealth of fun and hands on activities.

An article about the coronavirus and how to support people with intellectual disabilities click here – Tuffrey Wijne

Podcast about the coronavirus, and helping children with autism – Episode 4 ‘Autism, a parents guide’ with Dr. Ann Ozsivadjian and Dr. Marianna Click Here for PODCAST

Click here instructions – PURPLE MASH LOG IN

Scavenger Hunt challenge

Home play & learning links and ideas

Sensory/messy play ideas

Learning 4 Kids

Lemon Lime Adventures

Cloud Dough Pour 1 Cup Baby Rice into a container Add 3 Tablespoons of Melted Coconut Oil to the rice cereal. Mix and let the mixture cool.

Cornflour gloop Cornflour, water, Colouring (if desired)

Paint with different objects – sticks, plants, feathers, fruit/veg printing, hands and feet etc

Water play

Sock bubble snakes – Plastic bottle – wide end cut off, Sock, Washing up liquid and water. Put sock over end of bottle, dip into washing up liquid/water solution, blow through drinking end.

Crazy soap – Water spray bottles – Coloured rice/spaghetti

Ice play – freeze (safe or edible) objects in ice – explore them, try and melt them, use other tools to try and break the ice to get to objects

Collect leaves, flowers, petals etc and make potions and perfumes

Mud kitchens

Have a bath purely for playing – take different toys, bath bombs, crazy soap etc, bath crayons

Play ideas

• Containers, sieves, pots and pans – play with rice, water, flour
• Digger land – set up vehicles with cereal, rice, soil, corks etc
• Nature hunt outside – make a list of objects to find
• Plant seeds/vegetables etc
• Dig for worms and other creatures
• Bath dolls

Muddy puddles – tray with hot choc powder and water to make mud, put animals or anything that your child is interested in in muddy tray. Have a second tray with clean soapy water in and wash the animals/objects after they have got muddy.

Duplo/lego/blocks – Puzzles and jigsaws

Story ideas

Twinkl has a range of sensory stories – You tube has lots of stories recorded

You can also do your own sensory story – Choose a book and get together some simple resources to support story in a sensory way: e.g.

Hair dryer on different temp settings for wind, hot sun – Water spray and umbrellas for rain – Spices for smells – Instruments for different noises/actions – Different fabrics and textures to feel – Soft toys to represent characters in the story – Food items for taste – Ice and heat packs for cold/warmth – Foil blankets – Mark making and fine motor – Threading cheerios onto spaghetti – Hammer golf tees into potatoes – Poke straws into holes in a shoe box – Posting activities – make hole in box and post items in – Sticks etc into playdough – Chalks on ground outside – Paint sticks on windows (they do wash off) – Painting with water and paintbrushes outside – Threading beads onto pipe cleaners – Pasta onto string – Pipe cleaners into colander holes – Draw/paint/mark make onto and inside cardboard box – Colour matching activities – use coloured bowls and plates, find objects from around the home or just building blocks etc, can they sort into colours – Water, washing up liquid and whisks – Bath bombs – Cutting and sticking using old magazines, make collages, use Argos catalogue to make a collage of favourite things – Play with clothes pegs – hang out dolls clothes, socks etc on a washing line (tie piece of string between two chairs)

Sensory diet activities

Wheelbarrow walking – Animal walks (e.g bear walks, crab walking, frog jumps) – Trampolining – Cycling or using a scooter – Swings (forward and back, side to side, rotary) – Rough and tumble play – Deep pressure squishing or sandwiching with pillows or balls – Spinners and roundabouts

Jumping On bed Sofa Trampoline	Climbing Rock walls Jungle gyms Monkey bars Ropes – Slides Through a Tunnel	Swinging Outdoor swings Indoor Swings Swinging child in a blanket
Riding Scooter board   Bikes Scooters Skateboard Roller blades Sleds Any of the above over bumps or down hills	Pushing/Pulling Heavy Objects (Heavy Work Activities) Pushing empty wheelie bins inside Raking leaves  – Pulling weeds Shoveling mud/soil – Vacuuming Pushing shopping trolley Carrying a laundry basket A rope tied to a door knob or heavy object	Spinning (very intense sensory experience, best for kids to spin themselves even if they love spinning & only do so a few times in both directions. This is important because it will help balance out their system.) Swing – Swivel chair While standing Sit and spin
Vibration (is alerting versus calming when used in short bursts) Handheld massagers Vibrating cushions/pillows	Blowing Various whistles and noise makers Bubbles Pinwheels	Handling fidget toys (a wide variety of options) Koosh balls Stress balls
Playing with textures (stimulates the tactile sense) Shaving cream wet sand Finger paint Mud Water – Ice	Chewing Crunchy foods Gum Salty or spicy foods Chewable pencil tops Chewable safe toys Teethers	Playing in sensory bin (tons of ideas, the sky is the limit) Rice Beans Bird seed Sand Pasta
Playing active games Running – Skipping Obstacle courses Leap frog -Tug of war Wheelbarrow walking Various animal walks (walking like a crab, hopping like a kangaroo, etc.) Row, row, row your boat with a partner Crashing and jumping into pillows (put all pillows or soft toys in a pile on the floor)	Calming Vibration (is calming rather than alerting when used for longer periods of time) Using heavy or weighed blankets or lap pads (check out the whole guide for weighted blankets here and how and when to use weighted lap pads) Handheld massagers Vibrating cushions/pillows Teethers and chewable toys	Squishing and squeezing Hugs Squeezing into tight spots or behind furniture Wrapping up tightly in blanket Sleeping in stretchy sheets that are tucked in on sides Laying under a large yoga ball Sit or stand on a wobble cushion or wiggle seat (great for meals, homework, and crafts)
Sucking/drinking Drinking something warm Drinking something cold Sucking thick milkshake through a straw	Movement Rolling on a large ball on back or belly Sitting on a large ball – during meals Scratching their back vigorously	Watching slow moving or soothing images Fish tank Lava lamp Slow changing lights
Touch Massage Kneading play dough or therapy putty	Audio Listening to rhythmic or soft music Wearing noise cancelling headphones	Slow rocking Rocking chair Hammock
Sensory activities that are calming Wearing Tight Clothing Body socks or stretchy bands for short intervals during play Compression clothing worn throughout the day Wearing compression or weighted vests for 10-20 minutes during difficult times of the day (i.e. transitions)	Using essential oils (different types of oils are used to calm or be alert) In room diffusers Applying to skin In bath

A sensory circuit is a great way both to energise and settle children. The aim is to focus concentration in readiness for the day’s learning. The circuit also encourages the development of the child’s sensory processing skills.

The circuit should be split into 3 sections
Alerting – The aim of this section is to provide vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation within a controlled setting.
Activities that could be used in this section include: Bouncing 10 times on trampet – Spinning a hoop – Walking on stilts – Rolling on physio ball – Bunny/frog hops – Wheely boards

Organising – This section includes activities that require motor sensory processing, balance and timing. The child needs to organise their body, plan their approach and do more than one thing at a time in a sequential order. Activities that could be used in this section include: Balancing on a beam – Textured stepping stones – Throwing bean bags into a hoop – Blowing bubbles – Wobble boards – Climbing

Calming – The calming activities are very important as they provide input to ensure that children leave the circuit calm, centred and ready for the day ahead. Activities include proprioceptive or deep pressure activities. Activities that could be used in this section include: Squishes with big physio balls – Lying under weighted blankets – Hand massage – Hand and feet in weighted bean bags

Play together, go out for walks, let them play with siblings and by themselves, allow down time, Ipad, Tv, time in the garden etc

We hope the above list helps give you some ideas of things you could do with your child at home, you know your child best so know which activities they will and won’t be able to access, you will also have some good ideas of your own, this list is by no means exhaustive but I hope it is useful.

The Sensory Projects –  The Sensory Projects – Covid19 Resources
A wide range of links to help home educate your children, all specific to SEND and the list is ever growing.

Inclusive Teach – Inclusive Teach
A range of resources, tips and advice, including sensory stories and resources – Inclusive Teach Sensory Resources

Attention Autism –  Facebook Gina Davies Autism Centre
Facebook page of the creator of Attention Autism. A wealth of information about Attention Autism and videos of activities for the different stages.

BBC Bitesize  – BBC Bitesize Primary
Although not specific to SEND there are lots of interesting games, activities and videos that many of our children will enjoy. The BBC will be adding further content over the coming days and weeks.

CBeebies – BBC TV Cbeebies
The ‘We Love To Learn’ section has fantastic educational TV shows.

Please check that the content is suitable for your child before using any of these websites with them.

Please note that Mountjoy is not responsible for the content of these links. 

Children benefit greatly from the mutual support of parents and teachers in encouraging them to learn both at home and at school.

Home Learning is anything that children do outside the normal school day. It can encompass a whole variety of activities.

Parents can support at home the work that is happening in school as outlined in their My Aspirational Progress targets (MAPs). We consider it important that parents and families should take every opportunity to promote their child’s independent living skills.

The chance to practice self care, travel competence and domestic activities such as personal hygiene routines and making simple snacks provide pupils with the chance of achieving some independent living skills.

Reading books are sent home on a regular basis, this provides an ideal opportunity to share an activity with the family.

Home School Books

Home school books play an essential role in communication between home and school. The books contain information regarding the school day, any medical issues or concerns, school policies and the curriculum which both pupils and their parents/carers might find useful. The books can be used by parents/carers to inform school about issues concerning their son/daughter or to ask for further information about aspects of school. The class teacher will use the book to inform parents/carers about how their son/ daughter is getting on and about any significant events.

We aim to write in them daily to give parents/ carers an overview of what day their child has had. We appreciate parents/ carers also writing in these too.