Kidspiration is the name of a computer program which is available in all primary schools in Scotland. Ask your child if they have used it at school. If they haven't, you could suggest that they ask their teacher about it, or you could ask teachers about it yourself at the next parents' evening.

Kidspiration is a tool to organise ideas and information visually, using words and pictures. You can create different sorts of diagrams, and you can link ideas and information. You can turn your diagram into note form and develop notes into a longer piece of writing. Lots of people find it easier to plan and organise things in this way, especially those who prefer a visual style of working.

You could work through this unit with your child to find out about the software together, or for them to tell you about it if they know the program.

The unit is not a tutorial; it just shows you examples of how the program can be used in different ways in different school subjects. There are also some links to websites, including a visit to the Scottish Seabird Centre where you can learn about seabirds in an entertaining animation.