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Great videos to explore music in your home with things you have at home

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Manchester Camerata is one of the UK's leading chamber orchestras, renowned for dynamic performances, innovative collaborations and pioneering Learning and P...

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A range of instruction sheets to do creative arts at home for early years and key stage 1

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Borrow Box Free Digital Books from Salford Libaries 

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Borrow Box Free Digital Books from Salford Libaries 

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The UK's number 1 digital library app is now available for all Salford Library members. This means avid book fans can read or even listen to their favourite read, all for FREE!

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BorrowBox comes to Salford Libraries!

The UK's number 1 digital library app is now available for all Salford Library members. This means avid book fans can read or even listen to their favourite read, all for FREE!

This innovative app offers users the chance to digitally borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks for limited periods. You can read or listen to a huge selection of titles from the world's best authors.

It's like having your own personalised library in your pocket!
How it works:

1. Go to iTunes or the Google Play Store

2. Search forthe BorrowBox app

3. Download the app to your phone or tablet

4. Log in with your library and card number and PIN

5. Browse the thousands of titles, select your favourite and download

6. Borrow the book for a 3 week period

After that it's returned automatically unless you renew it - so no overdue charges.

You can borrow up to 5 eBooks and 4 eAudiobooks at a time, but you can digitally return items and borrow more whenever you like.

Perfect for Children

With it's easy to use functionality and use of the latest technology, it also appeals to children. They can choose their favourite David Walliams or Jacqueline Wilson book and get reading. So if you're looking to get them to read more, or just want nurture a love of reading, then why not download the app using their library card number and set them off on a literacy adventure...

Not a Library Member?

BorrowBox is a truly fantastic service, so if you're not a library member but want to access a huge range of FREE ebooks, then join today. Just head to any one of our 16 libraries across the city, join for FREE and access BorrowBox straightaway.

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BorrowBox comes to Salford Libraries!The UK's number 1 digital library app is now available for all Salford Library members. This means avid book fans can read or even listen to their favourite read, all for FREE!This innovative app offers users the chance to digitally borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks for limited periods.

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Yellow - Salford and Greater Manchester or North West
Pink - National Based

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Has good links to links to content like ‘I Can’ the talk charity and ‘Talk to your baby’

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Salford Libraries - reading list for early years around diversity and empathy  

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Salford Libraries - reading list for early years around diversity and empathy  

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Reccomended reading list from Salford Libaries around diversity and empathy

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A great list of recommended reads for children

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Read Manchester online reading and literacy resources

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There are a huge number of free online resources available to support children and young people while schools are closed. If you're struggling to decide which are best, please have a look at the ones selected by Read Manchester. They focus primarily on resources which foster a love of reading and support literacy skills at the same time. This list will be updated on a regular basis, but please do let us know if you think we have missed any. Find out more about Read Manchester

Please click on an age category below to be taken to a list of age-appropriate resources.

here. Find out more about Manchester Libraries here.

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Read Manchester online reading and literacy resources

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There are a huge number of free online resources available to support children and young people while schools are closed. If you're struggling to decide which are best, please have a look at the ones selected by Read Manchester. They focus primarily on resources which foster a love of reading and support literacy skills at the same time.

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Loads of resources for learning to read and free downloadable resources and apps

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The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944.
Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.

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The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL.

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100s of creative activities to help with motor skills

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child holds pencils and markers with a mature grip

child draws recognizable shapes and objects

child cuts out shapes and is turning the paper

Remember, every child will acquire the fine-motor skills needed for handwriting in a different time table. The more your preschool child uses her fingers in activities that help to strengthen their hand coordination, the sooner they will master these skills.

Preschool activities to promote fine motor skill

New! Free Preschool Twiggle Magazine

Free preschool activities and crafts magazine. We are excited to have introduce our new free twiggle magazine for preschool and kindergarten teachers, parents, and anybody that cares for children. The Twiggle Magazine features a monthly theme with fun activities, crafts, recipes, games, and health tips. Check it out at:

www.Twigglemagazine.com

Free preschool fine motor skill activities and worksheets:

Cutting Activities:
Lily's and EarTwiggle's Scissor skills Practice Worksheets
Cat cutting activity
Lily elf cutting activity
EarTwiggle elf cutting activity
Decorate your christmas ornament activity
Build your snowman activity
Lily's Valentine's Day heart coloring and cutting activity (see more Preschool Valentine's Day activities)
Make a fish picture cutting activity

Coloring Pages: (see also our pre-writing skill activities and worksheets)
Turkey coloring page
Lily in the garden coloring page
Scarecrow coloring page
Thanksgiving coloring page
Frankenstein coloring page
Halloween haunted house coloring page
Witch Halloween coloring page
EarTwiggle Halloween wizard coloring page
Pumpkin coloring page
Santa coloring page
Poinsettia coloring page
Lily santa's helper coloring page
EarTwiggle's santa's helper coloring page
Valentine's Day heart coloring page
Penguin coloring page (see more penguin activities)
My Dad rules coloring page (see more Father's Day activities and crafts)

Other fine motor skill worksheets:
Halloween connect the dot activity (see more preschool Halloween activities)
More preschool activities more preschool crafts
The following preschool activities support young children's fine motor development and will help to build the strength and dexterity (quick and precise movements and coordination of the hands and fingers) necessary to hold a pencil appropriately.

More preschool fine motor skill activities:

Rolling play dough into tiny balls using the palms of the hands facing each other and using only the finger tips.

Cut out shapes from cardboard (circle, square, etc.) and let your child trace them.

Using toothpicks to make designs in play dough.

Give your preschooler pair of tweezers. Provide two bowls with small items. Challenge them to get all the items from one bowl to another using only the tweezers.

Tearing newspaper into strips and then crumpling them into balls.

Lacing and sewing activities such as stringing beads.

Using eye droppers to "pick up" water.

Play with Legos, miniature cars, small blocks, action figures, and other small toys.

Working puzzles

Rolling small balls out of tissue paper, then gluing the balls onto construction paper to form pictures or designs.

Scissor activities

Gross motor activities: Wheelbarrow walking, crab walking.

Clapping games

Connect the dots activities

Trace around stencils

Work on a chalkboard

Paint at an easel

Make crafts using scissors and gluing

Finger painting

Tying bows or tying shoes

KidsSoup Membership only $2.15 a month!

More than 4,500 resources at your fingertips!
Age-appropriate preschool to kindergarten printable theme-based lesson plans, crafts, activities, worksheets, games, emergent reader booklets, and other quality educational resources for children ages 3-7. New themes and resources added each month!

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child holds pencils and markers with a mature grip child draws recognizable shapes and objects child cuts out shapes and is turning the paper Remember, every child will acquire the fine-motor skills needed for handwriting in a different time table.

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Loads of reading materials from a teacher to help parents and teachers

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Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.

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"kids yoga" "yoga for kids" "yoga for children yoga story for kids" "children's yoga" "yoga adventure for kids" "kindergarten yoga" "preschool yoga" "kids me...

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YOGA | MINDFULNESS | RELAXATION FOR KIDS! Screentime that gives kids SUPERPOWERS! ⬇️ D O W N L O A D T H E C O S M I C K I D S A P P ⬇️ 🍏Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cosmic-kids/ 🛍️Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cosmickids 🖥️ Desktop (great for teachers!): https://app.cosmickids.com/ 📺 Roku: https://rb.gy/44r8d -------------------------------------------------------------------- Why watch on the App?

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Lots of fun activities for children to do outdoors from printable sheets to outdoor makes - really nice website interface from the woodland trust - you can break it down into key stage and subject - suitable for primary school age but some useful things that could be adapted for early years http://treetoolsforschools.org.uk/menu/

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Creative Hub resources for youth workers and teachers sourced from across the country, curated by the Lowry learning team

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Welcome to The Lowry's Creative Hub; a place for staff and volunteers who are supporting young people and communities in Salford & Greater Manchester to access a range of creative resources for learning, wellbeing and entertainment. Activities are divided into broad age ranges and include dance, drama, creative writing, wellbeing and visual arts PDF's or Videos. Some of these have been generously shared by other artists, companies and organisations and some have been created by Lowry staff to share during the pandemic. If you find other sources that you think we should share then please email getcreative@thelowry.com

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Welcome to The Lowry's Creative Hub; a place for staff and volunteers who are supporting young people and communities in Salford & Greater Manchester to access a range of creative resources for learning, wellbeing and entertainment. Activities are divided into broad age ranges and include dance, drama, creative writing, wellbeing and visual arts PDF's or Videos.

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https://padlet.com/salfordlcep

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A Creative Care Package 2 for Families & Teacher

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i) Online music workshops for children aged 0 to 7 and their bigger people. Stomping In The Woods Video 1: EleMouse! By community musician, by Ruti Lachs: http://www.activemusic.ie/

ii) Uplifting sing-a-long every morning with Rebecca Deniff from Music Tots, Whitby - both live streamed and recorded for you to listen / sing-a-long to with your little ones afterwards: https://www.facebook.com/musictotswhitby/

iii) Made with Music - providing a virtual early years class every Thursday using story books, props, favourite songs and more, with musicians Kathryn and her family: https://bit.ly/39x7SAO

iv) Concerteenies with Music in the Round presenter, Polly Ives. This live music series for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups which usually takes place in various theatres in the Midlands is now freely available online: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsErPP9-JhLN8qJIjtK4AnQ

2. Art, Design, Materials and Mixed Media

i) Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, brings their stunning Galleries Day to the world's living rooms, online for the first time, with 300+ artists available to view, many with 360 degree views within the gallery spaces: https://www.artsy.net/feature/alserkal-art-week.

ii) A myriad of amazing resources from experienced art teacher, Sarah Crowther, with great ideas on photography, drawing, mark making, painting and art lesson ideas for your home or school: https://theartyteacher.com/art-home-learning-inspiration-for-art-teachers/

iii) Creativity for Wellbeing by arts facilitator Richard Potter - many arts activities, either easy or more challenging, to help you explore (almost) every art or craft form under the sun - perfect for creative families: https://www.creativity4wellbeing.com/easy-activities.

iv) Teacher Tom, who spoke at an Earlyarts conference a few years back, writes a super daily blog on the many creative and educational activities his children taught him when he ran his preschool. Here's a few ideas on the subject of art: https://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/art.
3. Dance and Movement
i) Dance artist, Jo Cone, is facilitating superb weekly family dance sessions that can easily be done in the home with nothing more than a blanket and a pair of socks... or ten! Join in here: https://www.facebook.com/peekaboomoves/

ii) Sadlers Wells will be offering a programme of full-length dance performances and workshops online over the coming weeks, for you to enjoy at home: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/digital-stage/ or some fabulous family workshops for you to join in with together: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/take-part-family-dance-workshops/

iii) 'We Belong' by dance artist, Takeshi Matsumoto, is a contemporary dance film made with and for stateless children in Thailand, exploring their sense of belonging, identity and growth: https://www.sevencircles.one/we-belong
4. Museums
i) Creativity at Home - one beautiful activity to do EVERY week from the Glucksman contemporary art museum in Cork, Ireland, based on their collections: http://www.glucksman.org/events.

ii) A fabulous messy-drawing activity book from The National Portrait Gallery, featuring portraits of famous thinkers and doers of our time, for embellishing with your own creations: https://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/learning/NPG_activity_book_playful_portraits.pdf

iii) Kids in Museums have put together some of the fun digital activities that you can enjoy from home: https://kidsinmuseums.org.uk/2020/03/10-museum-activities-to-keep-children-entertained/

iv) How do you turn a series of dusty collections into the 'most joyful museum in the world'? Find out how many top museums have redesigned their programmes, inspired by the things that most excite and engage young children: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jan/19/museum-science-lab-playground-children-fun-architects
5. Story and Theatre
i) The Scottish book trust bring you the online experience of the Long Nose Puppet's adaptation of Polly Dunbar's beautiful book, Arthur's Dream Boat: https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors-live-on-demand/polly-dunbar. Plus you can get creative with LNP's education pack, courtesy of Z-Arts here: https://www.z-arts.org/arthurs-dream-boat-sails-right-to-your-home/.

ii) Alive & Kicking's education packs are now freely available for all to enjoy: https://www.aliveandkickingtheatrecompany.co.uk/teachers. Passwords:

The Museum Of Untold Stories: moustail - Years 1 to 6

Gawain: greenbelt - Years 5 to 6

Granny's Underground Garden: worzlum - Years 3 to 4

The Princess Who Couldn't Play: Leonora - Years Reception, 1 and 2

A Genie Comes To School: opensesame - Years 1 to 2

Crowheart: briganti - Years 3 to 4

iii) Traveling Light Theatre, in partnership with The Egg, bring you their beautiful early years performance of The Snow Mouse - a magical journey into the winter woods as a young boy and his mousey friend tumble, slide, laugh and explore the snowy wonderland together: https://vimeo.com/204511734.

iv) Treehouse Theatre specialise in interactive performances and workshops. With a love of history and great story-telling, why not enjoy their beautifully read bedtime stories, bringing famous tales alive in your imagination: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbGf_tfJZW4T3wnPCRV8NBg

v) And, for a bit of adult sanity... Enjoy four amazing live performances by outstanding actors at the National Theatre, including Robert Louis Stevenson's famous Treasure Island, every Thursday in April. PLUS NT are also opening up their world class collection of educational performances for pupils at home: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/nt-at-home

Don't forget you can download a free pack on Den making from Earlyarts' Nurturing Young Children's Learning series by signing up to the quarterly Earlyarts Ebulletin, along with our pack on Ten Techniques for Creative Teaching (also great for families!). This way you'll get notified of each new list of creative ideas.
Please help other families and pass this on! Email or use the share button below.

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i) Online music workshops for children aged 0 to 7 and their bigger people. Stomping In The Woods Video 1: EleMouse!

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Created in with Salford residents this national resource was first piolted and developed with Salford Families.
Weekly activities are also being shared via their instagram

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Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child's language skills. Explore our simple activities and play ideas and find out about babies and toddlers' amazing early development.

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Children’s language development and parenting advice - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A chatty child is a happy child, so Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child’s communication skills through simple interaction and play.

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Free access to loads of phonics games and activities

Sign in as follows:

Username: march20
Password: home

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A site packed with interactive phonics games, phonics planning, assessment ideas and many teaching ideas and resources to help children to learn to hear phonemes, recognise graphemes and develop the blending and segmenting skills that are vital for learning to read and spell.

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Storytime with Salford Community Lesuire 

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Storytime with Salford Community Lesuire 

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Weekly storytime with Salford Community Lesuire

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National Libraries around the country are sharing their events from storytime to book groups from on what is your area

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#LibrariesFromHome brought to you by Libraries Connected

Our buildings may be temporarily closed but public libraries still have lots to offer their communities. Here at Libraries Connected, we are showcasing the best digital services from public libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Working with a team of public librarians from across the country, we'll be highlighting key services that can be accessed through library websites and social media platforms.

On this page you can find some of the excellent online rhyme times, story times and lego clubs that keep children engaged and support early literacy and creative thinking. We want to help families to choose live and recorded events not just from their own library service but anywhere in the country.

We're also promoting activities to keep adults connected through library reading groups and book discussion groups.

On the right is an overview of the digital library resources that can be accessed through most public library websites. From audio and e-books, newspapers and magazines to encyclopaedias, music collections and free online courses: your library can support you.

If you aren't already a member, you can join most libraries online. Just head over to your local library to find out what they offer.

While our doors may be closed many of our library activities continue and they are now available to more people than ever before!

A full list of events is available in the resources section below. And here's a round up of some of what libraries are offering:

Read stories. Build empathy. Make a better world.

Empathy is a vital human force, creating happier children, stronger communities and a better world.
We've never needed it more than right now.
On 9 June, Empathy Day aims to help everyone understand and experience the power of empathy through books.

Throughout the day, there'll be brilliant online events and fun home-based activities to help children read, connect and act using empathy. Libraries, authors, illustrators, schools and families across the UK will be taking part and we'd love for you to join in!

Rhyme times
Norfolk Libraries Blackpool Libraries Dorset Libraries Surrey Libraries
Storytimes
Bracknell Forest Cheshire East Doncaster Libraries Merton Libraries Middlesbrough Libraries
Lego clubs
Lancashire Libraries South Gloucestershire Libraries Guernsey Libraries York Explore
Code Clubs
Carlisle Library Redbridge Libraries Hampshire Libraries Wirral Libraries
Lambeth Libraries (Email for Zoom details)

Reading and book groups

West Sussex Libraries - Virtual Reading Facebook group

City of London Libraries - Every Wednesday on Facebook

North Lincolnshire Libraries - Monthly book club

Neath Port Talbot Libraries - Every Wednesday from 2pm on Twitter

Blackpool Libraries Every Thursday from 2pm on Twitter #BookPool
Suffolk Libraries
Bournemouth Libraries - Every Tuesday lunchtime on Twitter #BCPBookChat

E festivals

SOA @ Home Festival Join Lemn Sissay, Jordan Taylor-Jones, Ian Skillicorn and a host of others for free webinars, talks and workshops from 2-11 June.

An evening in with Flapjack Press Manchester Libraries, Word Central collaborators Flapjack Press run a live poetry night every Monday at 7.15pm via Zoom, offering sweet treats in the form of six poets each week.

Around the World in 80 books - classics in translation by Norfolk Libraries

Authors Live on Demand - Scottish Book Trust
Lockdown Lit festival
Partner offers

Fun Palaces Tiny Revolutions
Practical suggestions for small, on and offline steps anyone can take to connect a little more in their local community or simply pass time creatively in self-isolation.

Publishers Association #MyThreeBooks campaign
Publishers, booksellers, authors, agents and readers of all ages and abilities are uniting around our mutual love of books. Use the hashtag #MyThreeBooks and share three books - one you loved as a child, one you love right now, and one you can't wait to read.

CILIP's National Shelf Initiative
A new daily YouTube broadcast featuring book recommendations from professional librarians. Launched by CILIP and the Youth Libraries Group, the daily videos will focus on helping children and families discover new, diverse reading experiences. The broadcast will run Monday to Friday at 11.00am each day.

BBC Arts C ulture in Quarantine
Culture In Quarantine across BBC television, radio and online, gives the nation access to the arts at a time when we need it the most. It provides access to shuttered exhibitions, performances and museums, a virtual book festival and much more besides.

British Library's Discovering Children's Books
Aimed at primary school children, teachers and book-lovers of all ages, the site explores the history and rich variety of children's literature, through treasures from the British Library, Seven Stories, Bodleian Libraries and the V & A. It also has a bank of creative activities for children of all ages, from creating your own comic to making a miniature book or inventing a superhero.

National Literacy Trust's Learning at home
Ideas and guidance for fun, simple activities that will engage your children at home, while also benefiting their reading, writing and language development.

The Reading Agency Hub
Ideas, activities and challenges from across their programmes to entertain and educate yourself, your family or those you are teaching remotely.
Disclaimer
Libraries Connected endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, however, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.
Bradford Libraries have asked the Bookstart Bear to help your little ones to wash their hands. The rhyme (especially adapted by Bradford Libraries staff) will help children to wash their hands for the recommended 20 seconds following NHS guidelines.

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Libraries from home | Libraries Connected

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Our buildings may be temporarily closed but public libraries still have lots to offer their communities. Here at Libraries Connected, we are showcasing the best digital services from public libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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The department of education has put out resources to suit specific ages 0 - 5years

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Chat, play, read!

Here are some tips and activities to help your child develop their speech skills:

use things your child is interested in for play, follow their lead and make sure you're physically at their level while playing

if you notice your child looking or pointing at something, talk to them about it before they lose interest in it

picture books introduce your child to new things they haven't seen yet in real life - ask them to tell you the story, or talk about what the characters might be thinking and feeling

make reading, singing and playing even more fun by using lots of actions and different voices

take turns to make noises or speak - your child will be able to hold longer conversations, so slow down your speech, give them plenty of time to respond and listen carefully to what they have to say

talk to your child in short, simple sentences, as it's easier for them to understand you and have a go at copying when they are ready

try to use the same book or sing the same song, as young children learn a lot from repetition

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Find out how you can help your child with their speech & language development. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

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If you need some support in with getting digital you can get support from Salford CVS

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contact us

sign up

Join us

Get In Touch

Salford CVS & Volunteer Centre
Registered address
The Old Town Hall
5 Irwell Place
Salford, M30 0FN

Tel: 0161 787 7795
Email: office@salfordcvs.co.uk

About

Salford CVS is the city-wide infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; providing specialist information, advice, development support and opportunities for influence and collaboration.

Latest Blogs

Growing in your garden, window sill or home has grown in popularity over the past seven weeks.

Exciting new Irlam Endowed Primary School has finished there new outdoor all weather pitch!

With many volunteers unable to be involved with their regular volunteering activities during this

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The Tech for Good Live Volunteer programme is a partnership between Salford CVS, 10GM members, other VCSE infrastructure organisations within Greater Manchester and Tech for Good Live. Tech for Good Live is a community of people with a mix of digital skills and an interest in using technology to make the world a better place.