We wanted to let you know that we are a Widgit Centre and share some of the free resources Widgit have made available to support mental health. What does being a Widgit Centre mean I hear you ask? Well, it means we are a Widgit advocate and support the use of this pioneering software that uses symbols-based communication to help comprehension and understanding across any environment.
Through the use of visual scaffolding, Widgit provides a strengthened approach to developing the communication skills of all children and young people, including those with SEND. It was designed to support educators, therapists, and caregivers by enhancing inclusive learning environments while promoting meaningful interactions. It is suitable for all age phases and can be adapted to meet the needs of individual children and young people, cohorts or whole school approaches to communication.
Did you know that Widgit also has an option for dual language? With 1 in 5 learners speaking English as an additional language, diverse multilingual classrooms are the norm for most teachers. Using dual language, alongside visual scaffolding enhances the ordinarily available provision for all children and young people.
There is Widgit Online and InPrint software which gives access to symbol language, designed to meet the unique needs of symbol users across a multitude of settings. From flashcards to vocabulary lists to fully symbolised books, Widgit helps make it easy to personalise a wide range of materials – helping to facilitate communication in the everyday world.
Take a look at their free to download resources:
- Mental Health Awareness symbol supported poster
- Wellbeing Pack - symbol-supported books and activities
- Emotions: How Am I Feeling? - symbol-supported flashcards and mind map
- Feelings and Emotions Charts which give children a clear, visual way to show what they’re feeling and share it with teachers and peers.
- Emotion and Behaviours Scales - helps children rate the intensity of their emotions, understand what those feelings might lead to, and choose strategies to stay in control.
If you’ve interested in finding out more about how we at HFL can help you use Widgit to strengthen inclusive practice, please get in touch with our SEND team by emailing hfl.send@hfleducation.org
We also have a 10% discount code we can share for specific subscription packages.
If you’d like to know more about how we can support mental health within schools explore our wellbeing page and contact the team.
