Support

General FAQs

• What resources do I need to do to start the program?

  Most classrooms will have all the equipment already required to start the Program immediately. That is a:

  • Visual Board: either a small whiteboard or print and laminate SMECLE Visual Board in the Resource Tab.
  • Digital devices of either an iPad (best option), iPhone or a computer that is connected to speakers and the Internet.
  • Whiteboard marker and duster
  • Email the Sound Garden Poster to your local print place (eg, Office Works) and ask them to print and laminate in an 0A size or Make your own using the SMECLE Program Resources.
  • Planners: Print the SMECLE Planning Tables for either Before School Age or School Age. These resources are best kept together, for planning and referencing purposes, either pinned to the wall or in a folder at your group space teaching area, as you will need to refer to them daily.

• What is my first step when starting SMECLE?

  Before starting the program, Educators need to watch short Training Videos in each Play Module. Educators of children  for Before School Age, do not need to watch the Word Play Module training videos or conduct the activities in this area.

  Ensure you have reliable internet connection to the iPad (most preferred) or computer you are using to run the program through. All the training is done step by step online, over a 6 month period while using the Program. SMECLE provides a 20-hour training Certificate at the end of the 6 months after Educators have completed all the instructional training videos and activities. This can be put towards your Educator Professional Standards and Training and the Program can also be included in your organisations Quality Improvement Plan.

• How does SMECLE encourage Parent/Carer involvement?

  SMECLE is an attractive marketing resource for Parents and Carers. They will be happy knowing their child is taking part in a daily Literacy and Numeracy program that supports all Developmental Areas.

  This program is great to discuss with Parents/Carers and it is recommended for them to conduct a few activities from the hand-out with their child/ren, during Parent/Carer evenings or events to encourage them to do with their child/ren regularly.

  The Parent/Carer Hand-out is to be adapted to suit and represent your organisation and be emailed or given to Parents/Carer with the SMECLE support activities attached. The Parents/Carers are asked to keep a copy of the PDF on their phones either download it to their files or iBook library, so they can access it anytime.

• What letter do I start within Letter Play?

  Before School Age: SMECLE recommends to focus on one or two letters, numbers, shapes and colours per week and conduct 3-4 10-20min SMECLE Sessions daily. At this early stage, start with a letter order that you feel comfortable with or just start at “a” and work your way through to letter “z” over a 6 month period. If you use the Program for an entire year, you will be able to revisit each letter twice. When introducing a letter the second time round introduce the capital letter and how the 2 letters belong together – they share the same name and sound, but look different.

  School Age: Teachers who are asking Children to blend sounds together for reading, select letters according to how you have been trained or recommended for your current literacy program. For example, many literacy programs say to start with letters such as c t, a, s, n, i, p, m, as you can make a lot of 2 or 3 letter words from them such as it, at, in, sat, cat and mat, nip, tip, sip, etc.

• What if you Struggle with Activities?

  Educators can watch the Training videos attached to each activity for explicit step by step instructions. They have been designed so that you can watch them with the children. The teacher and the children will then feel confident entering into the activity for the first time. However, it is not necessary for the children to watch this.

• What space can I use to conduct the activities?

  SMECLE activities have been designed to be conducted in any classroom setting. Activities can be done in the Classroom group space or Children can sit on their chairs at their table. The Large Space Play area will require Educators to clear the space of any tables and chairs or conduct activities in a large space area such as an outdoor undercover area or hall.

• What The Program Includes?

  20 Hours Professional Development, with easy on-line training. Access to 100’s of fun activities for all learning styles. Great Program to endorse, including Parent Handouts. SMECLE support documents for both educators and your organisation.