Zedie and Zoola’s Playful Universe: An Inclusive Playtime Resource Which Lifts Communication Barriers From The Playground

Playtime is essential for children’s wellbeing and provides key opportunities to make friends. Yet for some children, unstructured play can present real challenges. This original resource provides ideas and tools to support children aged 6-9 with communication conditions as they socialise with their peers. The set includes: Zedie & Zoola’s Playtime Cards – a pack of 25 cards containing ideas for fun playground games that encourage children with different communication styles to play together. Zedie & Zoola Light Up the Night – a beautifully illustrated storybook, which draws on themes relating to friendships, neurodiversity, participation, and advocacy. Zedie & Zoola’s Playful Universe – an evidence-based guide offering additional advice for adults to use the cards effectively, with helpful contextual information to assist in making playtimes more accessible. The first of its kind to draw attention to the barriers to play experienced by children with communication conditions, this practical and informative set aims to engage children and foster an inclusive and supportive environment. It is suitable for use at both school and at home, with plenty of opportunities to encourage play, and will be a valuable resource for primary school teachers, speech and language therapists, and parents.

Cards: There are 25 cards in total and each card gives children instructions on playing a unique, simple game. The resource features cartoon aliens named Zedie and Zoola and each game draws from an imaginary universe of characters. There are two subsets of games: two-player and multi-player. Each card will include: subset type, title and image, number of players, any props needed, aim of the game, instructions to play, any new terms. Guidebook: 1. A Background to Neurodiversity 2. Social Skill Development through Childhood 3. Using the Resource at School 4. A Parent’s Guide to Using the Resource 5. Meet Zedie and Zoola and Friends!

Vanessa Lloyd-Esenkaya holds a PhD in child psychology. Her research explores the social side of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and is published in scientific journals. She is currently training to be a Speech and Language Therapist and lives in Kent with her family.