Our team have had a pretty busy but lovely summer. Those of us with children have enjoyed slowing down a little at work, to enjoy spending more time with them while they’ve been off school. But there’s a new school year just around the corner for us in the UK. It’s time to get back in gear for school runs, packed lunches, homework assignments and the seemingly endless school admin that is heading our way!
If you have a child returning to school soon, you’ll know there’s a long list of equipment to get sorted. From uniform to stationary, lunchboxes and drinks bottles. But if you have a child with a disability, making sure they are set for the school year ahead can involve an extra layer of planning.
Let us take some of the mental load of this task for you. Take a browse through our comprehensive guide to supporting a child with reduced hand function at school. See how you can get them ready to achieve their full potential with independence, inclusion and joy!
Getting Ready for the Day
School mornings can be a real rush! So supporting everyone to be as independent as possible can really help. It can also be an opportunity to teach great life skills and boost self-confidence. We have lots of simple supports that can make a significant difference to a smooth morning routine.
Our dressing supports can help tackle fiddly zips, buttons and shoe laces. Subtle, versatile solutions that work for all ages. Our Button Puller is a classic solution that helps with school shirts. Zip Grips simply pop onto zipped hoodies, coats – even school bags and pencil case zips. They create a loop for hooking with a finger to raise and lower zips without the fuss. And they can stay on through the wash! Zubits magnetic laces create a really wide opening to slip feet into shoes and then close securely with a click. Dressed and ready for action, with no fuss!
For the final touches, the Manta Healthy Hair Brush is easy to grip for those with reduced hand function and leaves hair super shiny. The 1-Up Hair Tie is designed to support those with one-sided weakness or limb difference to create a ponytail. And EazyHold Straps can be added to just about everything to create a comfortable strap that prevents children from dropping hairbrushes, toothbrushes, cutlery and more.
Packed Lunch Prep
We have a really wide range of kitchen supports to enable everyone to be more independent and confident in the kitchen. Where children are able to start this journey, even in simple ways, we’re setting them up with a great life skill. We have lots of tools that are safe for children to use, so you can support them to work with joy and independence in the kitchen.
The Sandwich Prep Board is perfect for those with one-sided weakness or limb difference. Pop your bread against the raised edges and spread away from your body, towards those edges. Your bread is held in place and you’ve made yourself a sandwich in no time.
Get into jars and bottles without the struggle with the bottle and jar openers. These simple, silicone grips give a firm hold, perfect for those who struggle with joint pain or finger weakness. For those with one-sided weakness or limb difference, the Belliclamp Jar and Bottle Opener is designed so users can hold the jar in place with a hip and open with just one hand.
Finally, our Nimble is a one-finger cutter. Its tiny, ceramic blade is safe for everyone to use. But it is strong enough to cut through food packaging to open things like cheese, ham, ready meals and so much more. It’s also great for cutting through craft paper, opening parcels and lots of other tasks!
At School
Once at school, the right tools can enable children to access the curriculum, engage in lessons and build their confidence. For those who need complete support to grip or keep hold of objects, we have two gripping aids designed especially for children. Our General Purpose Mini Aid gently wraps fingers around objects, creating a firm hold. Children can hold musical instruments, handlebars of trikes and bikes, toys and so much more.
Well they work as well as I could have hoped…His movement is much more controlled, he is stronger at pedaling (which is great exercise for him). The teachers in his school, his parents, and of course myself could not be happier. Thank you!!
Bob Majkrzak (Grandad of Parker)
Our Mini Small Item Aid supports children to grip any small diameter object and, as well as supporting many tasks at home, can be really versatile in a school setting. From creating art, to writing, to holding musical instrument beaters and sensory toys.
Technology
For those who reply on technology to communicate or access the curriculum, our range of supports can make operating their tech much easier. Our Sixth Digit is a wearable stylus. It allows users to comfortably type and push buttons, without the need to isolate and extend a finger. It comes with three sizes, so everyone can find their perfect fit.
The Flexi Phone Holder clamps easily to wheelchairs or desks. It uses magnets to locate and a vacuum seal to hold, a phone or tablet. This means your child’s tech can be positioned where it is most comfortable for them and can be accessed easily all day.
Fine Motor Support
For those with reduced finger dexterity, hypermobility or joint pain, fine motor tasks can be really tricky. We have a wide range of options for writing to support an effective pencil grip, as well as lots of different options for cutting with scissors. In addition, Card Holders can be a great way for children to organise resources. Items such as phonics or number cards can be held easily, to access lessons without frustration.
If you’re looking for tools to support your child with reduced hand function this school year, browse our full range of school supports here. Or, if you would like to see all of our gripping aids that are appropriate for children, you can browse here.
We wish all the children in our community a smooth return to school this year. We look forward to hearing about the adventures they get up to, in school or elsewhere! Feel free to get in touch on our social media channels, if you’d like to share your child’s achievements.
Jo Smith
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