The love of reading is important for all children, but many find it challenging or unpleasant. EMMA MCKINNEY shares ideas to encourage reading Many people think that you should only start reading stories to your child once they go to school. We would like to encourage you to start reading […]
Author: Emma McKinney
Care for the carer
Parents and caregivers of children with disailities are at risk of burning out. Emma McKinney highlights the need for the parents to take care of themselves as well For many parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, their primary focus is on caring for and supporting their child or children […]
Adapting sport for children with disabilities
With a few accommodations, children with disabilities can benefit just as much from sport as their peers. Emma McKinney takes a look Sport and activity participation is important for all children, including children with disabilities. It is important for developing self-esteem, social skills, fitness, improved co-ordination, gross and fine […]
Parenting with a disability
Parents, in general, often receive criticisms and judgements, but parents with disabilities face even more. Emma McKinney shares some personal experiences My husband, Vic, has level C3 – C5 quadriplegia, I am hearing impaired and we have two energetic young boys. Vic acquired his disability in 1987 – long before […]
Playdates and children with disabilities
It is important for children to socialise with their peers outside of school. EMMA MCKINNEY provides parents with some tips on navigating playdates with their children with disabilities Playdates are a regular childhood activity. Socialising with other children outside of school is very important. Children learn important social skills such […]
Accessible home learning
EMMA MCKINNEY provides some tips on how to make an environment more accessible for home learning Previously many parents and caregivers of children with disabilities felt that schoolwork, activities and therapy were best left to their children’s school, teachers and in some instances, therapists. However, the COVID-19 lockdown has shown […]
Forms to access support
In the final article of the series, EMMA MCKINNEY investigates the forms that teachers need to complete to access support for learners Our final article in the series, relating to integrating children with disabilities into inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, focusses on the second stage of the Department of Educations’ […]
Forms to support learners with disabilities
Continuing her series, Emma McKinney discusses the forms that teachers need to complete to access support for learners In this section of the series, we focus on providing teachers with an understanding of the second stage of the screening, identification, assessment and support (SIAS) policy. This stage includes assessments and […]
Accessing support for those who need it most
Continuing her series on integrating children with disabilities into inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, Emma McKinney explains what a learner profile is and how teachers should complete this from to access support for learners who need it most The last article focussed on the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) […]
Support needs: initial screening
There are several steps involved in assessing the additional support needs of all learners, and especially those with disabilities. Emma McKinney takes a closer look In 2014 the South African Department of Basic Education published the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support policy framework, which standardises the procedures to identify, assess […]