Episode 1
Inclusively Down talk Learning for Life
In the first episode of Life Skills Unfiltered, host and Learn and Thrive CEO Jo sits down with Lucy Clarke and Julie Knight, co-founders of Inclusively Down. As specialist teachers with a wealth of experience, they talk about their involvement in the Learning for Life project, as co-writers and teacher in Growing Up and Keeping Safe, Emotions, and the Changing Adolescent Body series. Learn more about the inspiration behind the project, the issues it aims to tackle, and real-life stories of how the life skills the project teachings support those with Down's syndrome to stay safe and thrive through life.
Episode 2
Maths as a Building Block for Life
Karen McGuigan, former Learn and Thrive trustee and founder of Maths for Life has a wealth of experience in maths teaching for SEND. She’s been a key part of the new series in Teach Me Too, ‘Maths Before Numbers’, but today she’s talking with Jo about maths skills later on in life; how are early skills setting the foundations for later life? What are the problems with maths teaching for SEND? What are some practical solutions and changes both parents and professionals can make to develop maths skills and change the perceptions around what constitutes crucial maths skills for life for our community?
Episode 3
Appreciating the Other Side: Parents and SENCOs
Jo is joined by Gary Aubin and Stephen Hull, the two sides of the coin creating the brand new book 'The Parent's Guide to SEND'. Gary is a former SENCO with extensive teaching experience, and Stephen is a parent to two sons, one of which is autistic. Together they have written a book which will give some clear guidance and strategies on the careful balance of the relationship between parents and SENCOs/teaching staff in a child's education. They bring to the table some key considerations which each wishes the 'other side' appreciated about their own experiences, efforts, and insights. How can parents be more open minded when meeting new professionals? When are SENCOs able to perform their best work?
Episode 4
Bringing Symbols into Real Life
In this podcast, we’re chatting to Sue White, Head of Education at Widgit. Learn and Thrive's partnership with Widgit goes far beyond provision of symbols for our projects, we genuinely love their work and see it making an enormous difference to the lives of individuals with learning difficulties. But how can we bring symbols out of the classroom and into real life? How can we make practical changes using symbols to support individuals at home, in school, and more. Navigating daily tasks, schedule changes, and gaining independence, the possibilities for symbol support really are endless.