Last week I found myself at the TTS ‘Time for Two’s’ Conference in Manchester. I was delivering a Keynote and a couple of workshops alongside Alice Sharpe amongst others. It was a great day with some brilliant ideas and resources for those working with two year olds (not to mention plenty of great food!). I am sure TTS will be doing more conferences, so keep an eye out for them. During her keynote Alice talked about the amazing things that happen when you mixed cornflour with hair conditioner. What she didn’t do was tell the delegates what actually happens! So, for any of you who were there and were left wondering and those who are now wondering…It makes a really … Read More
Dough Gym Week – Creating a Dough Gym
Now that you have assessed your children in relation to their gross and fine motor dexterity, you can set up your Dough Gym. What is Dough Gym? Dough Gym is a gym for children where you work out with dough – Simple! Dough Gym is a specific daily intervention – If it is going to have impact it has to be regular and consistent. Dough Gym is directly linked to assessment and attainment. Dough Gym is exclusive – You need to make the children who need this intervention feel special and chosen for all of the right reasons, not just because they are failing. I usually work with a maximum of 8 children, not a whole group. It is not … Read More
A Week of Dough Gym…
I have had loads of requests for more information about Dough Gym recently so, rather than do one GIGANTIC post, I am going to do a Dough Gym post every day this week. By next weekend you will all be experts! I first started doing Dough Gym as a Reception teacher way back in the Early 1990’s. In those days it was the policy of the school that I was working in, to start each day by getting children who couldn’t write their names to copy it through tracing paper. It didn’t take me long to realise that there was a core group of children that were really struggling to hold their pencil, never mind recognise and write their name. … Read More
Squeeze and Snap Dough Recipe
It has been a busy old time here at ABC headquarters what with conferences, consultancy and book deadlines! I am also really chuffed to say that I have been shortlisted for not one, but three Nursery World Awards! This is very exciting news and I am keeping everything crossed that I might actually win one! I have also very much enjoyed trying out some new dough recipes with my gorgeous neice Mabel -who is a very willing, able and chatty helper! We had such fun making this one, I thought I would share it. It is really quick and easy. Squeeze and Snap Dough (It is called ‘Squeeze and Snap’ because you can squeeze it and snap it!) What … Read More