PECS stands for ‘Picture Exchange Communication System’, and is a picture language system widely used in schools for helping students with language development and speech difficulties. Each word has its own graphic with the word clearly spelled out underneath; if a student would like to request an object or activity, they pick up the relevant picture and hand it to their teacher or guardian. The child has then successfully communicated their desires and if possible, and the teacher can respond by organising the student’s request.

Emma Lucas, of playground design company Positive Playgrounds, came across this technology while teaching at a special school in Essex. “It is an incredibly helpful system. It actually gives students a voice.” An outdoor science lesson exploring the words ‘swing’ and ‘move’ proved the usefulness of PECS outdoors. “We moved and swung to our hearts content, pairing the actions with the Widgit symbols.”

Emma realised that the magnetic wall game boards could be adapted to make it easier to use the PECS system outdoors. Working with the head teacher of Castledon School and the software company, Widgit, who supply the package to generate Widgit Rebus Symbols, Surface Signs developed the Playgrounds PECS Board, which inlcudes 30 main playground words, as well as single symbols schools might traditionally use at their site. The boards and symbols are weather proof, so they can be left outside, and the large Foamex symbols are easy to handle, and have rounded corners for added safety.

Schoolgrounds-UK members qualify for a £15 discount on their Playground PECS Boards orders. They usually retail at £199, so the Special Offer price will be £184. You can benefit from this discount by ordering through Positive Playgrounds (01702 559709) and quoting "Learning through Landscapes".

Widgit Rebus Symbols
copyright Widgit Software
www.widgit.com

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