Highland Council Psychological Service

Planning for Christmas

Posted on November 26, 2021November 25, 2021 by babssimons

The run up to Christmas looks different for everyone. For some children and young people there can be challenges that might benefit from extra planning. For some ideas have a look at the Planning for Christmas page within the Supporting Families section of this Blog.

The Pines, Neurodevelopmental Support Centre for Highland, based in Inverness is holding a coffee morning for parents, carers and professionals to share strategies which might help.

Christmas Coffee Morning – Strategies for Christmas

Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 10:30 AM 12:00 PM

“Christmas can be a very stressful time for families and having some strategies to support your young person might help. Shona MacPherson from the Pines Speech & Language Therapy team has lots of ideas!”

Updated guidance and resources for responding to tragic events

Posted on November 15, 2021November 5, 2021 by babssimons

Whenever a tragedy occurs, children, like many people, may be confused or frightened. Most likely they will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. School staff can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security.

Advice within this Guidance aims to support staff and to give them the confidence to appropriately respond to children and young people at this time.

Using Virtual Rooms – during online meetings with Young People

Posted on November 8, 2021November 5, 2021 by babssimons

Online meetings are now a part of everyday life in our new ways of working. However, one of the challenges of online meetings is how to engage with young people in a meaningful way when we are unable to meet them in person. A creative response to this challenge has been the use of ‘virtual rooms’. If you want to know more about setting up your own room, follow this link.

Developing joint attention using nursery rhymes

Posted on November 2, 2021November 5, 2021 by babssimons

Are you looking for ideas to promote joint attention and motivate interactions? Have a look at these examples using the rhyme Round and Round the Garden.

Story Saacks: Round and Round the Garden Download

Ideas to motivate reluctant mark makers

Posted on October 25, 2021September 23, 2021 by babssimons

An addition to the Play Idea series, this time on the topic of mark making, for those children who might need more support and encouragement to build their confidence.

Play Ideas: Supporting mark making

Meet Team HCPS !

Posted on October 4, 2021September 23, 2021 by babssimons

We have updated our Meet the Team page and contents to make it easier for you to know who we are, what we do and how to contact us.

Meet the Team

How many ways can you play with bubbles?

Posted on September 20, 2021September 13, 2021 by babssimons

Having a pot of bubbles can be one of the most engaging toys in your toolbox. Here are lots of ideas to support sensory play, communication, fine motor skills… Pick one that suits your child best and just have fun!

Play Ideas: Bubble Play

Developing play routines with ramps and loose parts

Posted on September 13, 2021September 13, 2021 by babssimons

Some children may struggle with the open ended nature of using loose parts in play. This sheet of Play Ideas contains some suggestions of ways to support engagement with loose parts using ramps.

Play Ideas: Ramps

Information about choice making

Posted on March 25, 2021March 24, 2021 by babssimons

A new EASEYS for ASN has been added to our collection. This one is on the topic of making choices. Being able to make choices, in whatever form, is a child’s right and ensures that we are hearing their voice.

EASEYS for ASN Choice making

Outdoor Learning

Posted on January 25, 2021 by babssimons

Introducing a new EASEYS for ASN which explores an inclusive approach to outdoor learning and play experiences.

This document contains a range of ideas and suggestions to consider when planning for and with the children in your setting. It could also support a discussion with parents, professionals and the community around the spaces, experiences and interactions you provide.