Take Five Multisensory Programme: Activities to Develop Literacy Skills in the Early Years

Take Five is a colourful teachers handbook for multisensory learning in the early years.

It features an innovative early intervention programme designed to develop automaticity and build confidence in children with early literacy difficulties, including dyslexia, who would benefit from a structured approach to early phonics.

The Take Five Multisensory Programme provides...

• A structured small step approach to early phonics
• Ideas for creating a multisensory environment
• Support for children ‘at risk’ of specific literacy difficulties (dyslexia)
• Ideas for involving parents
• Extension activities

The Handbook is a colour coded and attractively illustrated with photographic examples of the activities and ideas. It focuses on phonological and spatial awareness, fine motor skills and working memory and utilises everyday objects and readily available materials. The key elements are activity, fun and practice for automaticity. If you need a new focus on phonics try Take Five.

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"The Take Five programme successfully combines the knowledge and experience of its author as a primary teacher with a conviction of how crucial it is to identify and support struggling learners from the outset. It incorporates the well established principles of a multi-sensory, active, step by step approach with as much opportunity for practice as the individual learner needs. The programme offers these young children opportunities to develop their early literacy, physical and ‘readiness to learn’ skills in a fun way with their peers. At the same time, demands on classroom organisation are minimal. Its colour coding system makes it simple to use; easily stored materials and everyday tools make up the equipment; engaging activities can be set in class themes. Extension activities have been included which gently move the children towards early literacy. The underpinning research and feedback from teachers clearly show the programme succeeds in its aims of addressing the needs of the ‘at risk’ child in the Foundation Stage. Take Five has long been awaited."
- Judy Capener, Experienced assessor and teacher, teacher trainer and consultant in SpLD

"I would recommend this handbook for teachers and teaching assistants to follow as a structured and cumulative intervention programme requiring very little preparation. The programme will address some key aspects of early literacy and will be a useful resource for teachers who have identified children who would benefit from targeted intervention within the Foundation phase."
- Jennie Cross, Foundation Stage co-ordinator and member of the Nasen Early Years and Primary Advisory Group