Leeds Portage Service

13/10/2026

Often parents will share with us how much their child has learned from watching a screen. Their child may have learned some new words or the actions to a nursery rhyme, or be able to sing their favourite songs from memory. These are all great things and we recognise that screen time really does have its benefits. However, it’s important to remember that screen time should be limited and that it can never replace real human interaction.

Think about your child’s favourite rhyme. Take some time to sit opposite them and sing it to them. Sitting opposite them allows them to see your mouth and this helps them in learning how words are formed and builds their interest in verbal communication and interaction. You don’t have the bright colours of a screen to capture their attention but there are other ways you can make it interesting for them.

• Think about your tone of voice. Do you sound genuinely excited and enthusiastic? Your child is more likely to invest in the activity if they believe you’re interested.
• Think about your facial expression. It isn’t enough just to sound excited; you need to look excited as well. Smile with your mouth AND your eyes.
• Think about your body movements. Make sure the actions you do are big enough that your child can clearly see them and that you are doing them slowly enough so that your child has the opportunity to follow what you’re doing and try to copy if they want to.

You might feel uncomfortable at first but that’s ok – if you’re trying then trust that you are doing it right. It doesn’t matter if you don’t think you can sing. You’re not singing for the world, you’re singing for your child.

08/10/2026

Spot on! Such an important insight focusing on early communication.

✨Sharing books and stories can start before your baby is born

Long before your baby can see the pictures or understand the words, they can begin to recognise the rhythm of your voice.

Reading, singing or telling a story is a simple way to slow down, feel close, and start building a familiar routine together before your baby arrives.

It doesn’t have to be a children’s book. It could be a favourite story, a poem, a recipe, a song, or the same few pages each night. Your voice is the part that matters most.

Even before your baby arrives, storytime can be a quiet moment of connection: a familiar voice, a simple routine, and the beginning of a lifelong love of books and stories.

24/09/2026

The new place looks AMAZING! Sunshine and Smiles - Leeds Down Syndrome Network
We can’t wait to see it.

It was a very special day for Sunshine and Smiles today as we opened the doors to our new space and invited in our littlest members for our Sunbeams group. 🌞

We were so excited to see the children exploring the new environment - and they seemed pretty impressed! Made with Music and Stories with Liv also joined us. 🎸🎶📖

Caitlin also held her first speech and language groups in her lovely new room. 🗣️

All of our groups will now be held at Acclaim House and we can't wait until everyone has had a chance to come and have a look around! See you soon ☀️😊

*For details of Acclaim House please see our website or WhatsApp announcement sent last week. And if you have any questions, please get in touch. 💙

21/09/2026

Have you ever tried to learn another language? When you are on holiday, do you struggle to understand what is being spoken around you? It's hard, isn't it?

Children learn language as they develop. Being surrounded by it means that they learn quickly, recognising familiar words and phrases as they grow. For some children it take a little longer.

Imagine you go on holiday and somebody approaches you and starts talking in their native language. You would hear sounds joined together but struggle to hear each individual word if they were speaking at normal pace. If they could slow down, you would have chance to hear each word clearly and maybe you could guess at one or two of them.

It's easy to feel panicked for a moment. You may stumble over your own words as you tell them, "I don't understand" or they may see the panic on your face and realise that you don't speak their language. They may point or use gestures and actions to try and explain to you or use objects or pictures to help you understand enough that you can put the pieces together.

Children are always learning and it's important not to assume that they know everything. They may recognise some key words but have trouble understanding them when placed alongside other words. Giving them instructions may sound like a jumble of words that are hard to pull apart.

Speak slowly and clearly.

Point and use gestures and actions to help them understand what you are saying.

Show them objects and/or pictures to help them understand even more.

They are still really new to the world and their brains are trying to process more than we could ever imagine. Help them and give them time.

09/09/2026

Learning is everywhere ✨

A great fine motor activity for little hands to do. By using everyday items you already have at home.

01/09/2026

Here are some tips and strategies to support your child in starting their new nursery/school or returning to their nursery/school following the summer break:

•Talk to your child about nursery/school in the days leading up to their first day. You can tell them what they will be doing – playing, drawing, meeting new friends etc. If your child has been to the setting before the summer, you can help to remind them of the place by using names of teachers and friends that are familiar to them.
•When you’re out and about, it may help to pass by the nursery/school and point it out to your child so that they have already seen the building before their first day.
•Consider your own reactions and tone of voice. Being worried is expected but it is important you don’t pass this worry onto your child. If they know that you're anxious, this will increase their own anxiety. Be reassuring.
•If you haven’t been provided with one already, ask if the setting has an ‘All About Me’ sheet or something similar. In some cases this may be a Pupil Passport. If they don’t, you could make some notes about your child’s likes and dislikes, what helps them to be soothed, any sensory triggers that teachers would benefit from knowing about, and how your child responds to routines such as eating and sleep time. You can pass this information on when you drop off or collect your child.
•Provide your child with an object from home that they can take with them to nursery. This may be a blanket, a small toy or photograph. As they are settling in, this will be useful for them to have which helps them feel more anchored to home.
•If your child has equipment that they use at home to support their sensory needs such as ear defenders or an oral sensory tool, make sure to take them with you to the setting and that teachers are aware of them being available.

Making the transition from home to setting can be really hard at first. Some children settle quickly whilst others can take weeks or longer. It's good to be prepared but trust that they will adjust and settle in with yours and their teachers support.

28/08/2026

As it's coming to the end of Summer, we know that many of you will be preparing for the return to school or nursery. Some of you will have a child who is just about to start school or nursery for the very first time. It can be a daunting time for both you and your child. For children who are returning to a place they are familiar with, six weeks away is bound to bring some apprehension and nerves. And for children who are starting a school or nursery for the first time and experiencing all the changes that are involved, this can be overwhelming.

Next week we will be posting some information about transitions and how you can support your child to settle in and adapt to their new routines. Following that, in the months ahead, we will be posting regular activity ideas, tips and strategies that will help your child in their development and learning. If there is anything in particular you would be interested in knowing about or anything you would like to see, you're welcome to send us a message☺️

In the meantime, have a lovely bank holiday weekend!

27/08/2026

Reminder!!😁

Is your child registered with a dentist?🪥

If not, use this link to find a dentist near you:
🔗https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist/

Why is this important?🤔

Regular check ups with the dentist can help your child maintain good oral hygiene and identify early problems to prevent things getting worse - like a tooth extraction!

If you are registered with a dentist, ask if you can also register your child there.

⭐️TOP TIP⭐️
Take your child along to your own dental appointments to get them used to the environment!

24/08/2026

It's the summer holidays and screen time has invariably increased for everyone in the home. There can be a lot of guilt surrounding screen time, from the amount that we as adults have to what our children (of varying ages) consume.

This guide is no way intended as a preachy post - we enjoy a scroll as much as the next person - but rather an information post. When we are equipped with all the info, we can then make informed choices.

We hope that this post stopped you mid scroll and that you find it useful!

More information: https://healthprofessionalsforsaferscreens.org/resources/resources-for-parents/

🔒Peep practitioners:
➡️Communication and Language ➡️ Making the most of technology
https://peeple.org.uk/members-area/ltp-area/topics-cl-strand/

03/08/2026

🏰 Summer Holiday SEN Bouncy Castle Fun! 🏰

Looking for a fun, active session over the summer break? Scott Hall Leisure Centre is hosting SEN Bouncy Castle sessions for children to burn off some energy in a welcoming environment!

✨ Session Dates & Times:

Mondays: 3rd August, 10th August & 17th August 2026

Time: 9:30am – 10:30am

📍 Venue: Scott Hall Leisure Centre

💰 Price: £5.75 standard / £4.25 Leeds Extra Card (LCX)