Independent living

Challenge your pupils with these independent living resources! There are four modules for pupils to work through, with a certificate available for each module successfully completed.

About this area

This area is designed to support pupils with additional needs develop skills for independent living. There are four modules to complete:

  • Planning what to eat
  • Going shopping
  • Cooking
  • Eating and sharing

A certificate is available for successful completion of each module. 

Get started by looking at the teachers guide.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to find some NEW, additional resources to support work on the modules - peer-to-peer videos and Widget recipes!

Planning what to eat

When planning what to eat, there are some important considerations. This area looks at planning what to eat and where to buy the ingredients.

multi-yr
Food preference

A worksheet around food preference.

multi-yr
What shall I eat?

A worksheet to support planning what to eat for breakfast, lunch and evening meal.

multi-yr
Planning what to eat - now, next and then

A worksheet to support pupils planning what to eat.

multi-yr
Planning what to eat

A worksheet to support pupils planning what to eat.

multi-yr
Planning what to eat social story

A social story presentation around planning what to eat.

multi-yr
Writing a shopping list

A worksheet to support writing a shopping list.

multi-yr
Planning what to eat certificate

A pupil certificate awarded for successful completion of the Planning what to eat Challenge.

Going shopping

When shopping for food there are a number of steps to follow. This area looks at what the key considerations are for travelling to and from the shops and choosing and buying food once there.

multi-yr
The food maze

An activity around finding food in a supermarket.

multi-yr
Shopping vocabulary

Cards that can be used to support vocabulary around shopping for food and drink.

multi-yr
Going shopping

A presentation that can be used to support role-play around going shopping.

multi-yr
Going shopping social story

A social story presentation around going shopping.

multi-yr
Shopping certificate

A pupil certificate awarded for successful completion of the Going shopping Challenge.

Cooking

There are a number of steps for pupils to follow when developing skills to prepare and cook drinks, snacks and meals independently or with support. This area looks at practical food skills, the key steps to make a drink, snack or meal, and how to stay safe in the kitchen.

multi-yr
Ready to cook?

A presentation around the steps needed when getting ready to cook.

multi-yr
Making scrambled eggs

A presentation around making scrambled eggs.

multi-yr
Washing hands

A presentation around washing and drying hands.

multi-yr
Cooking social story

A social story presentation around cooking, including food hygiene and safety.

multi-yr
Equipment cards for sorting

Images of equipment, name labels and descriptions of equipment functions cards.

multi-yr
My favourite meal - no text

A worksheet around a favourite meal.

multi-yr
My favourite meal

A worksheet around a favourite meal, with instructions.

multi-yr
Get ready to cook tick list

A worksheet around getting ready to cook.

multi-yr
How long does it take to cook?

A presentation around the reasons why food is cooked, the changes that happen and how long it takes.

multi-yr
Kitchen hazards

A presentation around hazards when cooking and being safe.

multi-yr
Cooking certificate

A pupil certificate awarded for successful completion of the Cooking Challenge.

Eating and sharing

This area looks at everything that surrounds eating a meal, including serving and enjoying the food and washing up and tidying away afterwards.

multi-yr
Eating social story

A social story presentation around eating and sharing food together.

multi-yr
Where are we eating?

An activity about the different places we have food and drink.

multi-yr
Setting the table step by step

A worksheet around the different steps to set a table ready for a meal.

multi-yr
Setting the table

An activity around setting the table.

multi-yr
Eating and sharing certificate

A pupil certificate awarded for successful completion of the Eating and sharing Challenge.

NEW! Resources to support the independent living modules

Take a look at these resources to support and enhance the independent living modules - peer-to-peer videos and Widget recipes!

multi-yr
Scrambled egg on toast - on the hob

A short video which demonstrates how to make scrambled egg on toast on the hob.

multi-yr
English muffin pizza

A short video which demonstrates how to make English muffin pizzas.

multi-yr
Chilli con carne

A short video which demonstrates how to make chilli con carne.

multi-yr
Minty lamb and pea burger

A short video which demonstrates how to make minty lamb and pea burgers.

multi-yr
Scrambled egg on toast: Hob Widgit Symbols

A recipe for Scrambled egg on toast (hob) using Widgit© Symbols.

multi-yr
English muffin pizzas Widgit Symbols

A recipe for English muffin pizzas using Widgit© Symbols.

multi-yr
Chilli con carne Widgit Symbols

A recipe for Chilli con carne using Widgit© Symbols.

multi-yr
Minty lamb and pea burgers Widgit Symbols

A recipe for Minty lamb and pea burgers using Widgit© Symbols.

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