Visual Support for All Learners
Why We Use Widgit
At My Schooldog, we are proud to use Widgit InPrint 4 to create our language games, communication tools, and visual supports for children. Widgit symbols help us structure the day for children and provide visual clarity in everything from classroom activities to dog-related learning and emotional support.
Widgit is a UK-based company that has been developing symbol-based resources for over 40 years. Their visual language system uses simple, clear symbols designed to make information more accessible—whether for children with communication challenges, neurodivergent learners, or young readers.
Using Widgit InPrint 4, we can easily design and print:
Why Symbols Matter
Symbols support understanding by adding a consistent visual element to spoken and written language. This is especially powerful for:
- Children with speech or language delays
- Neurodivergent learners, including those with autism or ADHD
- Early readers who benefit from visual anchors
- Children learning English as an additional language
By using symbols alongside text, we reduce cognitive load and make instructions, routines, and learning content easier to access and remember. In emotional learning and dog-assisted activities, symbols offer an extra layer of safety and predictability for children who might feel overwhelmed by spoken instructions.
A Tool for Inclusion
At My Schooldog, we believe that all children should be able to participate meaningfully—whether it's joining a reading circle with a dog, choosing how to interact in a calm activity, or simply feeling confident in understanding the plan for the day. Widgit’s symbol system helps us build inclusive, supportive environments where language and emotional safety go hand in hand. We’re excited to continue creating playful, structured, and supportive tools with Widgit InPrint 4—and to share them with you!
Here’s a sneak peek....
Watch our dogs play with words using learning resources made with Widgit. Join our club for more inspiration and fun ideas!"
The Role of Technology- Supporting pupils with dyslexia
Join Dyslexia Academy expert Myles Pilling for a bitesize training session on how to use technology to support your amazing students effectively.
Scribbling- Accessing & Encouraging Beginning Writing for All Children
This course from The AAC Academy focuses on recognizing and nurturing the early stages of writing, such as scribbling and drawing, especially for children with complex learning needs. It emphasizes the importance of these initial steps in developing writing skills and offers strategies and tools to support active learning in this area.
For children who write via non-traditional modalities, family and staff often miss the emerging steps of scribbling and drawing. We put an adapted keyboard in front of them or provide an alternative pencil and immediately expect them to write their name. We need to encourage students with complex learning needs at the beginning stages of putting ideas to print through activities, strategies and technologies that encourage the acts of scribbling and drawing. During this webinar, Donna and Kelly will connect those precious beginning steps of writing to all children through sharing strategies and tools to support their active learning.
This course can also provide new insight into the value of playing with images, symbols and drawing in early writing development. It highlights how exploration with visuals can be a powerful bridge into literacy. By integrating visual supports into writing and communication, we can create more accessible, creative, and engaging learning experiences—supporting all learners, including those using AAC systems.