Strategies Archives - Resource Library - Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

This resource has been created by the complications of excess weight (CEW) team. Christmas and the festive season is a great time to come together with friends and family to celebrate. For some people that can mean having more foods and drinks than we normally would. When you are trying to make...

Moisturisers Apply moisturisers all over the body in long downward strokes, as thickly and as often as possible. Do these even when the skin is ‘good’. If your moisturiser comes in a tub, use a spoon to scoop it out. Do not put your hands in the tub. Treatments Apply treatments to...

This resource is for children who have difficulty tying their own shoelaces. Here are some options for laces that do not involve tying. All of these can be found online, and other brands are available. Please discuss with your therapist which lace would be most appropriate for your child. Lock...

What is a finger fracture? The fingers are made up of several small bones and each of these is called a phalanx. A fracture can also be called a broken bone. A fracture of your finger is a common injury which can be caused by direct trauma, crush or a twisting injury. How should it… Continue...

These resources have been made for children waiting for a community paediatric appointment. Who? They are aimed at children who are under 5 years old who have been referred due to concerns about their development or behaviour. Why? When children have differences in their development or behaviour it...

What is communication and language? Communication is how people interact with each other. Communication can be with words or face and body movements. Language is how we understand and speak words. Children develop language and communication in different ways. How do communication develop? From birth...

What are motor skills? Motor skills are how children develop movements of their arms, legs and hands. Fine motor is the small movements of the hands. Gross motor is the large movements of the body, arms and legs. How do motor skills develop? Movement develops through practice. Babies start moving...

What does sensory experience mean? We get information about what is happening inside our body and outside our body through senses. Our sense organs (eyes, nose, and so on) take information to the brain to be understood. Sight, sound, touch, taste and smell are senses for information outside the...

What does attention and concentration mean? Attention is the brain’s ability to focus on something for a length of time. How does attention develop? Attention is a skill that develops with practice. Giving something attention also needs motivation and understanding. Tiredness, hunger, being...

What are emotions? Emotional development is how humans learn to recognise and share how they feel with others. Developing this skill needs positive interaction and support from caregivers and lots of practice. How do children develop understanding of their emotions? Babies are born with lots of...

What is behaviour? Behaviour is the way somebody acts. Young children experience huge changes in their development, during this time their behaviour can be difficult for adults to manage. Tantrums are part of normal healthy child development and are very common up to 4 years of age. Why does...

What is screen time? Screen time is the time that a child spends playing on, or watching a TV, tablet, phone or computer. Screens are used for entertainment and education and are currently used by most families. When children are on screens, they are less active. Screens do not support emotional...

Why do we sleep? Sleep is important because it helps our brains rest and grow. Everyone needs sleep to feel good and stay healthy. Sleep is made up of lots of short sleep cycles joined together. How does typical sleep develop? As children grow their sleep changes. A baby needs a lot of sleep...

What is physical activity? Physical activity is the movements that our bodies make every day. It is important for all areas of children’s development and helps bones and muscles to grow strong. Physical activity provides benefits to physical and mental health that last from childhood to adulthood....

How can I make a sensory friendly bathroom for my child? The image below shows ways which you can make your bathroom more sensory friendly for your child. Lighting Is the lighting too bright, dark or dull? Maybe you could add a night light or a dimmer. Temperature Is the temperature of the bathroom...

Balloon wipe This activity helps practising reaching, postural positioning and help to develop movement patterns. Attach 2 inflated balloons together, tying them together. Tape or tie onto back of a chair. Stick post it notes or stickers under and between the balloons allowing the child to stretch...

Resource by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund about Katie Bear going to the dentist.

Resource by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund about dental care for children with coronary heart disease.

Communication is complex and involves lots of different skills. On this page, we are thinking about children who are starting to develop their communication skills. A child might not be talking, but they might be doing lots of other things to communicate. It is important for us to recognise, respond...

How can I use singing to support communication? Lots of children love singing and listening to singing. We can bring that into our every day play and routines. This can support their communication development. Singing and visual support By adding some kind of visual support, we can help children to...

What is the sensory profile? The sensory profile is a shared tool for anyone to use in collaboration with a young person. It aims to help explain your sensory preferences and differences and how you experience the world. It is best created with you, using your own words. This will empower you to...

The Eatwell guide The Eatwell Guide gives recommendations on healthy eating and a balanced diet. This guide gives details on food groups and healthy choices. It is not designed for those aged 2 and under. From the ages of 2 to 5 children should gradually transition towards this healthy eating...

Keep calm and pumpkin on Avoid buying treats in advance and do not have them on display, however cute that pumpkin-shaped bowl is. Who knows what ghoulish fingers will be sneaking around? Trick your treats Halloween is not a race. You can save treats to eat over the coming weeks. Try a snack box...

What are tics and Tourette syndrome? Tics are sudden jerky movements such as eye blinking or shoulder shrugging (motor tics) or making sounds such as throat clearing or saying words (vocal tics). Tics often get worse if someone is feeling excited, nervous or stressed. Tics usually start when a child...