Letter Sounds Checklist

If you are observing resistance to reading at any age, review these pre-reading/phonetic activities to find out where the struggles are to help you understand your child better and as a starting point for seeking supports for them. Download this free checklist we created in partnership with Bright Lights Psychology.

Reading Activities

Use these reading activities to check in with your child and help to develop these skills.

Executive Functioning Checklist

Does your child misplace papers and school materials? Do they struggle to start their school work or know to focus on the biggest priority or task?

Well as you know these things impact them and they are called executive functioning skills. Use this checklist to find out more about this:

The Backpack Map

Use this method to help your child stay organized this school year.

Post it notes are the BEST! 

• use them to find that sheet they need to hand in

• use to communicate with the teacher (as your child may not recall what areas they were having difficulty with)

• scribe and organize your child's writing ideas using the notes and moving them around before they start writing on paper or the laptop

• recall the steps they need to complete at school or home

• and more tips join us inside our Shift Your Thinking Parent Community

Pencil Case Style 

• your child may have their essentials inside their binder but a cool pencil case is still great to have for those markers and coloured pencils

• a place for glue and scissors as well (this pencil case has two compartments so your child can find things easier)

• this pencil case becomes the home for extra tools that your child can keep in their home or school desk or locker until it's needed!!

A Zipper Binder - for older students 

• keep all those loose notes in one place

• keep pens and pencils close by -- no added pencil cases for everyday tasks (just one to hold your pencil crayons etc) See how to use a pencil case below :)

• a place for calculators and rulers

• keep homework to hand in and forms signed in one area

• add in tabs to separate subjects - you can work on those loose sheets together

• help your child learn to organize their binder while learning at home or if using in both home and school learning

Whiteboard with magnet holders (yesss please)

• use the whiteboard at home to start or if your child is schooling at home

• write down what steps they need to complete using words and photos (remember you can use the magnets for that)

• your child can check off each step as they complete what they are doing for school and even for getting ready or chores

• use it to help with math and counting or printing skills

• there are so many ways to use a whiteboard …I think I should make a video about it!!

Coloured Tabs for their Binder 

• Write out each subject and select a colour that makes sense for your child (ask them)

• Organize the tabs based on your child's schedule or frequency of the subject (some subjects may be 1-2x’s a week where others are daily)

• Have a tab for loose sheet area or homework

A Calendar

• whether you use a whiteboard calendar or a paper calendar - it allows you and your child to see what's coming up to help plan ahead and avoid missing those important dates

• put on all the activities and appointments to help stay focused and to see what might need to leave your list!

• digital calendars are great as well to help remind you and your child of appointments and homework due!

• ask your child to add the appointments or homework into their phones - to make this a new habit and decrease homework stress!!

Backpack - bonuses 

• Having a place for your child's "bring their own device" laptop or tablet

• A place for their headphones, post-it-notes

• A place for their lunch and water bottle (it's great to have a side area so the water bottle is away from their device and workbooks

Planner to help with Executive Functioning Skills (yesss!!)

• this really is a skill and it takes time to consistently use a daytimer or agenda but what if the planner helped your child with their EF skills? That would be wonderful, right??

• Your child will be given the tools to get organized, manage their time, learn study strategies, create daily/weekly study plans, and stay on track. They are also guided to evaluate their own executive skills in order to target their weaknesses and capitalize on strengths. In addition to simplified planner pages, the revised edition has an improved Studying for Tests form!

• it's great to combine a full monthly calendar with a weekly agenda to see the big picture and the weekly steps

Pencil grip

• Your child might find it tricky to hold onto a pencil. If that’s the case try a pencil grip and work on their fine motor skills at home.

White Erasers

• these erasers make erasing your pencil mistakes easier!!

• if you can't erase your pencil marks - it looks like a mess and can be discouraging

• a simple tool can help so much!

Paper that can help with spatial issues

• your child may find it difficult to place their letters on the writing line so use a raised line and different colours to help them get started

• you can make your own version as well …just print off 4 lines on a page with space between them and add a small bead of glue along one line!!

Spring-loaded scissors

• if using scissors is an issue consider using spring loaded scissors to help your child develop their skills slowly.

• the spring can be removed when your child is able to open the scissors on their own (work on their fine motor skills to help develp this skill)

Mechanical Pencils

• why are they great? there is no pencil sharpener required!

• they can offer a neater pencil line and printing

• they can help your child use less pressure when printing (if the lead continues to break - you might have to use both types of pencils for a while but that's okay!)

Fine Markers

• Markers offer the colours that will help make that page come to life - when your child has a learning difference…colour can make all the difference to them!

• Never underestimate the joy of these types of tools!

• These markers allow for thin or thick lines so your child can underline their words or create a beautiful image or drawing.

Crayons 

• Crayons are a must for young children

• They are small and thicker to help little hands.

• If your child still has difficulties holding a crayon (or pencil) take the crayon and cut it in two to make them very small so your child can only hold it with their thumb, pointer and middle finger (an old OT trick!)

Pens

• Pens are an essential writing tool but they have to fit your child's hand

• Try out different wides and styles to see what pen supports your child's grip and writing needs.

• The pen we have listed offers a modified grip to support your child with their pencil grasp.

Pencil Crayons

• Colouring has returned in a big way with beautiful colouring books for big and little people.

• Use pencil crayons for school work but also as an option for relaxation.

• If your child is anxious, they may like having the option to colour and listen to music they like at a certain time in their school day.

Early Learning Apps and an iPad (or tablet)

• Apps allow your child to learn in a multi-sensory way. If you select the correct apps they can offer you insight into their progress and what skills can be moved to paper or another task.

Calculator

• It's a tool we are use to seeing but it's an essential tool for kids that have a learning difference when it comes to numbers (aka dyscalculia)

• Find the right fit for your child's learning needs - the size of the buttons, the types of operations it has available, etc.

• Have one available for home and school - so they can use the same one in both places - it takes time to learn how to use this tool effectively as well.

Phones

• Yup this is a school device - if you set it up to be that way

• Allow your child to use it to capture notes on the blackboard, put in homework due dates, look up facts for a project, use voice to text to complete their writing.

• It is a small computer right in their hands - so let's use it in this powerful way.

Livescribe Pen

• a way to integrate technology into the classroom without the laptop

• if your child needs to review what the teacher said during their discussion -it's there to review

• they can continue to write their notes but have the ability to upload these notes to their laptop and listen to the class discussion to fill in the rest

Fidget Devices

• select a fidget device that allows your child to fidget without taking their attention away (it's a delicate balancing act)

• watch your child and see what they tend to do to help themselves focus and then look for the device that offers that such as clicking a pen - then you need a fidget toy that offers this (without distracting others)

• this fidget device may offer a number of options for those hand movements

• this package we selected offers some choices for your child to try at home

Chewable Jewellery

• Having the option to chew on something small but safe - may be needed

• Your child might be using their clothes (neckline or sleeve) to chew to help their sensory needs or their anxiety

• Using these sensory items that are similar to jewellery offers the tools that are needed in a cool way.

Headphones/Ear protection

• Having headphones when the noise is too great may be what is needed to help your child cope or focus when completing their learning tasks

• Find headphones that are cool and fun to put on. They can also be used to add calm music or white noise if this helps your child focus as well.