Summer holidays can bring a welcome break from routine – but for children with additional needs, this sudden shift can also lead to uncertainty, anxiety, and dysregulation. This practical and empowering one-hour webinar is designed to equip Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), teachers, and school staff with ideas, tools, and resources to send home with families, helping them create a structured and supportive summer environment.

From visual schedules and sensory-friendly activities to calming strategies and meaningful engagement ideas, this session will explore how to create a personalised “Summer Toolkit” that encourages consistency, joy, and growth for each child during the break. The focus is on empowering parents and carers to feel confident and supported – ensuring that children with additional needs can continue to thrive at home.

 Learning Objectives:

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of routine and structure for children with additional needs during the summer break.
• Identify and create useful resources to send home, including visual schedules, now/next boards, and daily planners.
• Suggest sensory-friendly strategies and calming techniques that families can use to support self-regulation.
• Recommend accessible activity ideas that encourage communication, movement, creativity, and connection.
• Collaborate effectively with families to personalise resources and ensure consistency between school and home environments.

 This webinar draws on guidance from the NCSE Relate Programme and the Department of Education’s 'Understanding Behaviours of Concern' document to support SNAs and educators in fostering connection, emotional regulation, and positive transitions for all students.

Facilitator: Magdalena Landziak

Magdalena has over 8 years of experience working as a Special Needs Assistant in a primary school in Co. Limerick, supporting children with additional needs. She is the Editor and Publisher of AMYGDALA – the First National Magazine for SNAs. Magdalena graduated from UCD after completing the National Training Programme for SNAs and earning a Certificate in Inclusive School Support. With a teaching background from Poland, she expanded her expertise by graduating in May 2024 from Trinity College Dublin with a Postgraduate Level 9 qualification in 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Recently, she completed her Master's in Inclusive Education and SEN and is awaiting the results. Magdalena is running an Instagram page called @sna_zone where she provides valuable resources for SNAs and educators. Magdalena is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with fellow SNAs. She is deeply passionate about advocating for children's rights every day and embraces everything about inclusive education.