{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EHow you can get involved\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027re passionate about helping Squirrels develop their confidence, communication and language in the Drey and at home. By encouraging playfulness, curiosity and exploration, you can support your child to deepen their learning every day.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHome learning is\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Eanything\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0and\u00A0\u003Cstrong\u003Eeverything\u003C/strong\u003E\u00A0that you do to support your child\u0027s development at home. It doesn\u2019t have to use resources, or have anything written down. Life\u2019s busy and doing small, quick actions regularly will make a big difference. You\u0027re probably already doing lots of things every day that help your child learn without even realising. It could be something as simple as chatting about their day, making roti together or counting the stairs on the way to bed.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What is home learning?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThese little actions of chatting, playing and reading to your child builds their communication and language skills. This is especially important during children\u0027s early years as it strengthens the foundation for literacy (reading, writing, communicating and listening). Several studies have shown that a child\u2019s early years at home can shape their long-term success in life. Even just talking with your child each day has a huge impact on their development.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why is it important?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou don\u0027t need to be an expert to make a difference and boost your child\u0027s literacy skills. Reading together, asking lots of questions and following your child\u0027s interests can be a great place to start.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Where do I start?"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u00A0Easy ways to support your Squirrel\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EShare thoughts. Explain ideas. Ask questions. This helps to build language, self-confidence and social skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChallenge your Squirrel to tell you everything they know about something (maybe their favourite animal or game)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EShare stories from when you were young and see what questions they ask you\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAsk your Squirrel what they\u0027d take on a trip to the moon and why\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Chat","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETap into your Squirrel\u0027s curiosity and become brave adventurers. This encourages a love of learning, helps them to understand their environment and be active.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGo on a treasure hunt for pine cones, flowers or leaves\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWalk, cycle or scooter to the park\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBorrow books from the library to find out about a new animal or place\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Explore","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EUnleash your inner artists, engineers, problem-solvers. Support your Squirrel\u0027s physical development, resilience and creativity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse containers from the recycling to create your own towers\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake up a dance routine\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESee who can put together the craziest outfit\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Create","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EShare the magic of a story. By reading a little each day, you can help to develop your child\u0027s literacy skills.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPlay sound \u0027I Spy\u0027. Ask if your Squirrel can see something that starts with a particular sound (like \u0027\u003Cem\u003Esh\u0027)\u003C/em\u003E. By focusing on sounds, it supports their knowledge of phonics (the way schools teach children to read by understanding small sounds and then blending them together to form words).\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEnjoy a story together. Ask lots of questions about the pictures. There are free stories available online, or you could borrow books from the library.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EYou can practise reading anywhere and everywhere! Read menus, magazines, or even bus timetables out loud. You\u0027ll be surprised which sounds your Squirrel can spot when you\u0027re out and about.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Read","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHere are some quick, resource-free ways to encourage Squirrels\u0027 development at home:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESignpost families to this web page\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETell families what you\u0027ll be working on each term (like growing or learning about your community)\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EShare details of any community events that families might want to go along to\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEncourage Squirrels to chat about things they might have done at home\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EExplain that it\u0027s great to ask lots of questions\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EShow yourself being curious - try saying \u0022I wonder if we can find out about\u0022 or \u0022I\u0027d like to know more\u0022\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ed3f23","title":"Supporting home learning as a volunteer","image":"/media/13984/210510_squirrels_0180.jpg?cc=0.0000000000000001263187085796,0.013333333333333334,0,0.14291666666666666\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db34ea32226c70","imageFocus":"","imageId":27013,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Tell us about your family fun","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHave you been reading stories together? Collecting leaves on the way to the park?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027d love to hear about the amazing adventures Squirrels get up to at home.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Form to share your story","id":null,"url":"https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6f6623feb602426e83800ceea05609e4","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#ca1a10","title":"Share your story","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EUseful links for families\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[]}],"config":null},{"type":"sidebarTwoColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Explore Words for Life","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA bank of simple, free ideas to support your child\u0027s development at home. You can filter ideas by age and type of activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are also handy links with further support for parents and families, including a free newsletter with further ideas.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Link to words for life","id":null,"url":"https://wordsforlife.org.uk/","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"National Literacy Trust","image":"/media/l3tikbzu/nlt-new-logo-1-spacing-2.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf92fe3ac9b10","imageFocus":"","imageId":77803,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Explore activities","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETiny Happy People are there to help you develop your child\u0027s language and communication.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey offer:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0Simple and fun activity ideas\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0Videos of families having a go\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022\u00A0 \u00A0 Tips and guidance\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Link to activities for 4 to 5 year olds","id":null,"url":"https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/4-to-5-year-old-child-development-activities","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"BBC Tiny Happy People","image":"/media/ykdkjrmk/bbc-tiny-happy-people-logo-spacing-2.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf92fe6a4f380","imageFocus":"","imageId":77801,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Image top","cta":"Explore Family Corner","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe family arm of the Early Years Alliance, offering expert advice and support on children\u0027s early learning and development, including:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0Fun learning through play ideas and activities\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0Tips and guidance\u00A0\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0Free online family learning sessions\u00A0\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0Special offers and competitions\u003Cbr\u003E\u2022 \u00A0 \u00A0A free monthly e-newsletter\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"Link to Family Corner","id":null,"url":"https://bit.ly/45MJMix","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Family Corner","image":"/media/mjsbvgkd/family-corner-sized-9.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daf92fe0cf92d0","imageFocus":"","imageId":77884,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Discover how to support your Squirrel at home","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"16 July 2023","reviewDate":"09/05/2023","redirectUrl":"","id":50697,"nodeName":"Supporting Squirrels at Home","title":"Supporting Squirrels at Home","type":"contentPage","image":{"url":"/media/10478/scouts-logo.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db789232a4a190","caption":"Scouts Logo","type":"jpg","size":30784,"width":800,"height":450,"altText":"The Scouts logo"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Supporting Squirrels at Home","headerSubTitle":"Share Squirrels fun with the whole family","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"ca1a10","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[]},"subHeader":"Discover how to support your Squirrel at home","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC81MDY5NyJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/squirrels/supporting-squirrels-at-home/"}