Sensory and physical resources

Resources to support children and young people who may need help with physical movement, or accessing their environment, or who have a sensory impairment, such as sight or hearing loss. This section also covers children who may have sensory processing difficulties.

Sensory and physical: activities and resources for children and young people

The websites below are filled with fun games, activities and learning for a wide range of learning needs.

Please ask an adult to help you explore the websites!

Name	Description
CBeebies: Magic Hands	Poetry translated into British Sign Language for children. Primary age phase
BBC: See Hear	Episodes on various topics related to deaf culture. Signed and subtitled. Suitable for secondary students.
Paths to Literacy	Visually simple videos for young children with CVI/additional needs.
Hearing Our Way	Magazines and worksheets for school age pupils with a hearing impairment

Sensory and physical: resources for parents and carers

Resources to support those with hearing impairments

Name	Description
Twinkl: Deaf Education Resources	Range of resources covering the following areas: HI specific learning needs; Working memory activities to print; Grammar activities to print; BSL various - to print; Primary age phase. Mix of free and paid resources.
Cochlear: Listen, Learn and Talk	A program that provides listening strategies to parents and professionals to enhance spoken language development
The Listening Room	Free activities and resources to support the development of speech, language, and listening skills in people of all ages with a hearing loss. You'll need to create a free account.
National Deaf Children's Society: Supporting your child's learning	Support and advice for developing language and communication with deaf children.
YouTube: National Deaf Children's Society - How to look after your deaf child's hearing aids	How to look after a hearing aid instructional video.
YouTube: National Deaf Children's Society - How to change tubing and batteries in your hearing aid	How to change tubing and batteries in a hearing aid instructional video.
Doncaster Deaf Trust	Free course teaching British Sign Language - requires registration.

Resources to support those with visual impairments

Name	Description
RNIB	Coronavirus support information for those with a visual impairment.
Blind Alive	Audio only fitness classes for visually impaired pupils.
Positive Eye: Family Activities	Fun ideas for visually impaired and activities for all children including those with VI/additional needs.
Tacpac	For visually impaired children who use Tacpac offering set 5, 3 months of free use. Enter code 8Q7A3TXS at the checkout.

Resources for sensory processing difficulties, motor skills and sleep difficulties

Name	Description
Falkirk Council: Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour	A guide for parents and carers about sensory needs and differences. Lots of information and ideas to try at home.
Growing Hands On Kids	Ideas for free activities to do at home which support fine motor skills. The site is run by a physiotherapist.
Sleep Action	Information and techniques to help support your child or teenager to get a good night's sleep.
The Children's Sleep Society	A national award-winning charity supporting children with sleep issues.
National Autistic Society: Sleep and Autism	Strategies that can be used to help autistic people to sleep better.

Sensory and physical: resources for professionals

Resources to support those with hearing impairments

Name	Description
National Deaf Children's Society: Supporting your child's learning	Support and advice for developing language and communication with deaf children.
Twinkl: Deaf Education Resources	Range of resources covering the following areas: HI specific learning needs; Working memory activities to print; Grammar activities to print; BSL various - to print; Primary age phase. Mix of free and paid resources.
Cochlear: Listen, Learn and Talk	A program that provides listening strategies to parents and professionals to enhance spoken language development
The Listening Room	Free activities and resources to support the development of speech, language, and listening skills in people of all ages with a hearing loss. You'll need to create a free account.
Doncaster Deaf Trust	Free course teaching British Sign Language - requires registration.

Resources to support those with visual impairments

Name	Description
RNIB	Coronavirus support information for those with a visual impairment.
Positive Eye: Family Activities	Fun ideas for visually impaired and activities for all children including those with VI/additional needs.
RNIB EasyReader	Free audio books for children with a visual impairment, learning difficulty or difficulty turning pages (replaces the system using Overdrive). Registration required.
American Printing House for the Blind	Video examples of teachers playing games with pupils, involving symbols and meaning.

Resources for sensory processing difficulties, motor skills and sleep difficulties

Name	Description
Scottish Sensory Centre	Various resources for early years children with a sensory impairment/additional needs.
Falkirk Council: Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour	A guide for parents and carers about sensory needs and differences. Lots of information and ideas to try at home.
Sleep Action	Information and techniques to help support your child or teenager to get a good night's sleep.
The Children's Sleep Society	A national award-winning charity supporting children with sleep issues.
National Autistic Society: Sleep and Autism	Strategies that can be used to help autistic people to sleep better.

Contact Sensory Team (Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment or Multi-Sensory Impairment)

Email CYPSsensoryteam@durham.gov.uk
Telephone 03000 264 530

Related information

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and our Local Offer