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Virtual KiwiChat Groups

TalkLink has run KiwiChat groups and KiwChat camps for some years now. This initiative was developed as a way to support people who are learning to use communication assistive technology tools and strategies. The aim is to create fun-filled sessions of learning and sharing, with the goal to support people who use these tools and strategies to become competent communicators. 

Traditionally, KiwiChat Groups have been held around the country at regular intervals. With the lockdown making it impossible to run KiwiChat groups for the foreseeable future we decided, with some trepidation, to run a Virtual KiwiChat group.

The first ever Virtual KiwiChat group was run on 30 April 2020 following minimal advertising through Facebook and by word-of-mouth. We had 58 participants from around the country attend, and with careful planning the outcome was a session that far exceeded our expectations. Families have embraced web-based meeting technology, making it easier to run the sessions, and the engagement and enthusiasm of the students participating in the session was remarkable. 

As a result of this positive outcome,TalkLink has decided to run further virtual KiwiChat group meetings, which will be advertised on our website and Facebook page. A recording of the session, along with a resource pack will also be available to download here.


Recorded Virtual KiwiChat Sessions:

Thursday 14 May 2020 - I need a new bum 

(we apologise for the technical difficulties we had which mean the modelling video freezes half way through)


Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Follow up ideas - download the PDF here


Monday May 18th 2020 - Colours

Circle sheet - download the PDF here

Pause and Ponder sheet - download the PDF here

Shoes - download the PDF here


Tuesday 2nd June - Groovy Joe Dinosaurs and Ice-cream

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Pause and Ponder sheet - download the PDF here

Props - download the PDF here

Speech Bubbles - download the PDF here

In case the Ice-cream splat video is a bit laggy, you can watch it here


Thursday 11th June 2020 - The Dot

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle sheet - download the PDF here


Thursday 3rd September 2020 - Pirates

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Pause and ponder questions - download the PDF here


Wednesday 9th September 2020 - Zombies!

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Scavenger game resources - download the PDF here 

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here



Wednesday 3rd of March 2021 - Bubbles

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Pause and Ponder questions for story - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here


Wednesday 11th of March 2021 -  Talents

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here


Wednesday 2nd June 2021 - Pets


Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Speech Bubble worksheet - download the PDF here

Retell the story - download the PDF here


Thursday 10th June - Space

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Worksheet - download the PDF here


Wednesday 25th August - Night Time

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here


Thursday 2nd September - Sports

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here


Wednesday 17th November - Monsters


Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Monsters one page - download the PDF here

Empty Jar - download the PDF here


Thursday 25th November - Disco



Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here


Wednesday 2nd March - Camping


Additional activities - download the PDF here

Circle Sheet - download the PDF here


Thursday 10th March 2022 - Movies


Circle Sheet - download the PDF here

Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Visual Scene - download the PDF here

Social Story - download the PDF here

Pre-reading sequencing activity - download the PDF here


Wednesday 1st June - I don't like peas

Circle sheet - download the PDF here

Follow up activities - download the PDF here 


Thursday 9th June - Matariki


Circle Sheet Matariki - download the PDF here

Follow up activities Matariki - download the PDF here

Visual Schedule Matariki - download the PDF here


Wednesday 24th August - Minibeasts Bugs


Follow up activities - download the PDF here

Minibeast hunt - download the PDF here

Minibeast news sheet - download the PDF here

Minibeasts to print - download the PDF here


Thursday 1st September - Jokes 


Jokes circle sheet - download the PDF here

Jokes follow up activity - download the PDF here

Jokes visual schedule - download the PDF here


Wed 16th November - Disco


Disco Circle sheet - download the PDF here

Disco follow up activity - download the PDF here

Disco visual schedule - download the PDF here


Thursday 24th November - Kiwi Anthems


Kiwi Anthems circle sheet - download the PDF here

Kiwi Anthems follow up activity - download the PDF here

KiwiAnthems visual schedule - download the PDF here

Coreoke tip of the month - download the PDF here 


Term 1 2023, Junior Virtual KiwiChat - Colours

Colours schedule and news sheet - download the PDF here

Colours follow up activity - download the PDF here


Term 1, 2023, Senior Virtual KiwiChat - Recycling

Recycling circle sheet - download the PDF here

Recycling visual schedule - download the PDF here

Recycling follow up activities - download the PDF here


Term 2 2023, Junior Virtual KiwiChat Day - Dirty Dogs

Funny dogs visual schedule - download the PDF here

My story about funny dogs - download the PDF here

Funny dogs circle sheet - download the PDF here

Funny dogs follow up activity - download the PDF here


Term 2, 2023, Senior Virtual KiwiChat Day - art....ish

Art...ish circle sheet - download the PDF here

Art...ish follow up activities - download the PDF here

Art...ish visual schedule - download the PDF here

Fuzzy Felt Tip of the Month - click here


Term 4 2023, Senior Virtual KiwiChat Day - Beach

At the beach visual schedule - download the PDF here

At the beach circle sheet - download the PDF here

At the beach follow up activities - download the PDF here


Term 4 2023, Junior Virtual KiwiChat Day - Christmas

Christmas visual schedule - download the PDF here

Christmas circle sheet - download the PDF here

Christmas follow up activities - download the PDF here

Christmas other resources - download the PDF here