Welcome to our product review page. Our customers have reviewed some of their favourite products for you to see for yourself how the resources have helped them in their classrooms. If you love one of your LDA resources email us at reviews@ldalearning.com. Include your name, job title and review and watch this space to see your comments.*

Product: Social Skills for Primary Pupils 1 & 2

Author: Deborah Cohen and Lorrae Jaderberg

"An invaluable resource"

Reviewer: Katie Krais, SENCo

"I have found using the social skills programme to be an invaluable resource. The teachers have benefited as everything is there for them - they don't need to create their own resources - they are ready to use and photocopiable. The children benefit on many levels. Firstly the more able children extend their gift of communication by supporting those less able. These in turn benefit from ongoing support by the able children, thus creating an ongoing bond of support and understanding. The whole class benefits as a stable and nurturing environment is created."

Reviewer: Ethan Earle, Parent

"My son's confidence has grown dramatically. He has a hearing impairment and has struggled in lots of areas especially believing in himself and his abilities. He now has the confidence to mix socially in large groups. He has taken up football and swimming and has joined a club on Saturdays. This change is very dramatic and he is like a different boy!"

Product: /Take Ten

Author: Sharon Drew

"Down to earth refreshing and jargon free"

Reviewer: Janet Mayne, Specialist Teacher for Fine Motor Skills

"Many children have poorly developed motor skills. It is often very difficult for these children to express their ideas on paper, a real barrier to learning which damages self-esteem and motivation. Take Ten provides concise information, clear assessments and enjoyable activities to help teachers ensure that any child with poor fine motor control can improve their skills. I have recommended "Take Ten" to many teachers in Worcestershire and my own Learning Support Team colleagues."

Reviewer: Joanna Collins, Children's Occupational Therapist

"Sharon Drew's "Take Ten" should be in every primary school classroom and every LSA's briefcase. This fine motor activity resource book is down to earth and refreshingly jargon free. The games and activities are easily implemented, and only use simple items which will already be in any classroom. The activities themselves are not only described but also presented with an emphasis on the process of building these essential skills."

Product: Nurturing Success

Author:Helen Sonnet

"Clear and easy to understand"

Reviewer: Simon Bishop,Nurture Group Co-ordinator

"Helen's book is written in a clear; easy to understand way that is accessible to everyone who is interested in setting up or working in a nurture group. Helen gives a very good overview about how to set up a nurture group and discusses the importance of developing a clear vision and aims for the group that are shared by the whole school. The book goes into detail about establishing a timetable that can be used effectively each day and how certain activities can be of great help in developing and maintaining positive relationships within the nurture group."

Product:The Friendship Formula

Author:Alison Schroeder

"Thoroughly supportive and easy to follow"

Reviewer: Kim Green, EMAG Teacher

"As an experienced Primary teacher working in the Ethnic Minority/EAL field I can wholly recommend this book for those working with children who need extra support in Social Skills. It takes the adult(s) running the group through a comprehensive programme which is thoroughly supportive and easy to follow. This book has great ideas and follows a logical step-by-step approach to improving children's ability to understand themselves and others. The photocopiable resources and games are clearly presented and knit together into a coherent whole."

Product: You talk - I'll Listen

Author:Tim Harding

"Lends itself to audio and kinesthetic learners"

Reviewer: Mary Begley, Foundation Stage Reception Class Teacher

"I tried the songs with the choir years 3 to 6 and they really enjoyed them and also with my reception children who spontaneously made up their own actions. The teacher's notes are concise offering ideas that don't need specialist equipment making it very easy to use. The product would enhance the PSHE curriculum and delivery of the SEAL material. I believe children remember messages more easily when delivered through music. The product also lends itself to audio and kinesthetic learners."

Author: Mike Fleetham

Reviewer: Ainsley Dawrent, Author of Successful School Transition

"Mike Fleetham's book are a delight to read and use - seemingly simple, yet full of practical, concrete ideas for teachers, school leaders, coordinators and parents. He begins with a selection of detailed yet easy to understand definitions of GAT children. He then offers nine tools for teachers and parents to use to spot GAT learners. The importance of the provision of emotional support for GAT learners, is discussed well, with sensible, hands-on solutions. In addition, there is a helpful, section on gaining parental support and helping parents plan extra involvement for their GAT children."

Product: How to Understand and Improve Boys' Learning

Author: Mike Fleetham

"Ideas to use in the classroom and at home"

Reviewer: Ainsley Dawrent, Author of Successful School Transition

"If you're looking for one book that will help you to improve boys' learning at home and at school, then buy and read this gem from Mike Fleetham. From the introductory tale of Blidges and Gruffles, Mike uses gentle humour and an in-depth knowledge of the theory and practice of teaching boys well to explain how boys' brains work, how boys think and learn, and the best ways to engage them in their learning. An abundance of up-to-date research on boys' learning is woven effortlessly through the text, supported by concrete ideas to use in the classroom and at home to encourage boys' achievement."

Product: The Story Maker's Chest

Reviewer: Jane Speake

"A wonderful resource for narrative therapy and creative writing"

"The Story Maker's Chest is a wonderful resource both for narrative therapy and creative writing. The materials can be used with small groups or in whole class activities, encouraging imaginative use of vocabulary, and developing and extending sentence structure."

Product: Interactive Language Cards: verbs: single usage

Reviewer: Jane Speake

"Good for focussing attention"

"This introduces extra interest to familiar verb cards with interactive and interesting activities. Ideal for young children or older children who have special needs. I find them good for focussing attention and also easy to use."