The summer holidays are a great opportunity for young adults with SEND to develop independence through everyday activities. Learning does not only happen in the classroom, and simple activities at home and in the community can help build confidence and practical skills.
Here are some activities to try this summer.
Cook a meal
Cooking can help develop skills including following instructions, measuring ingredients and using kitchen equipment. Start with a favourite meal and gradually encourage your young person to take on more responsibility.
For a simple starting point, Joolz, one of our Bistro teachers, has shared this easy baguette recipe:
Easy Baguettes
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Place the baguette on a baking tray.
- Sprinkle a little cold water over the baguette.
- Place it in the oven and bake for 7–10 minutes, until golden and crunchy.
- Carefully remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Simple recipes like this can help build confidence in the kitchen and encourage young people to take more responsibility for preparing food.
Go shopping
Shopping provides opportunities to practise budgeting, making choices and communicating with others. You could set a budget, create a shopping list and encourage your young person to find the items and pay at the checkout.
Plan a day out
Letting a young person help plan an activity can build decision-making skills and confidence. They could choose where to go, find out how to get there and decide what they need to take.
There are lots of places across the region where young adults can practise these skills. A visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Creswell Crags or Hardwick Hall can provide opportunities to plan a trip, think about what to take and explore somewhere new.
Practise using public transport
The summer holidays can be a good time to practise travelling to familiar places. Start with a journey your young person knows and gradually build confidence with different routes.
You can use Travel South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire’s travel information or Derbyshire travel information to help plan journeys.
Get involved at home
Everyday tasks such as laundry, tidying, washing up, gardening and putting shopping away can all support independence and responsibility.
Try something new
The summer can be a good time to try a new sport, activity, club or hobby. New experiences can help young adults with SEND build confidence and discover new interests.
At Landmarks Specialist College, developing independence is an important part of our specialist education programmes. Learners are supported to build practical skills, confidence and independence as they prepare for adulthood and their future goals.