LisaHoughton
25th November 2008, 20:15
Lost for Words (http://totsy.typepad.com/totsys_place/2008/11/lost-for-words.html)
http://totsy.typepad.com/.a/6a010535d841e1970b01053618c56b970b-320pi (http://totsy.typepad.com/.a/6a010535d841e1970b01053618c56b970b-pi) The whole team watched the "Lost for Words" documentary on ITV last night - if you missed it, the programme is available to watch online here (http://www.itv.com/News/tonight/episodes/Lostforwords/default.html).
The central argument of the programme was that, in some parts of the country, 50% of children arrive at primary school unable to string a sentence together. Parents have forgotten to chat with their children in simple ways, leaving them lost for words.
To an extent, it’s what we’ve known all along at Talking Tots – reception class teachers regularly tell us that children’s communication skills are often lacking in the early days, and the consequences can last a lifetime.
But we don’t think it’s fair to heap the blame entirely on mothers' shoulders – after all, we working mothers are already busy taking the blame for everything from our children’s emotional stress (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/1538160/Do-working-mothers-harm-their-children%27s-development.html) and obesity (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6911473.stm) to their disappointing A-Level grades (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1326255/Fewer-A-levels-for-working-mothers-children.html%20) (funny how these studies are all about working mothers rather than working fathers, isn’t it?).
If you and your child aren’t naturally good communicators, it can be difficult for parents to know just where to start. That’s where a structured class like Talking Tots can really help – it provides parents with expert input on fun activities that can be used at home to boost language development and communication skills.
One of the top tips I’d give any parent who wants to boost their children’s communication is to think about introducing one new word every day to your child’s vocabulary. So, if your child points out a “doggie”, say “yes, it’s a FURRY dog, isn’t it? Can you feel how soft and furry the doggie is?”
Keep it simple and try to introduce concrete concepts (like names of objects or simple descriptive words) but don’t be afraid of using new words with children – they’ll absorb new words faster than you think, and have lots of fun trying them out!
Don't forget....
To celebrate the first ever Talking Tots Great Toy Guide, we're giving you the chance to win some Great Toys this Christmas...Win a Stocking Stuffed with £250 of Great Toys from Talking Tots!
To enter, just answer the question below and send your answer to info@talkingtots.info (http://www.talkingtots.info) before December 19th 2008.
Talking Tots currently operates in 21 regions across the UK. Which of these Talking Tots classes is furthest North?
a) Tyneside
b) Durham
c) Fylde
If you're not sure of the answer, click here to visit the Talking Tots (http://www.talkingtots.info)website. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct answers received before the closing date. Good luck!
Reagrds,
Lisa
http://totsy.typepad.com/.a/6a010535d841e1970b01053618c56b970b-320pi (http://totsy.typepad.com/.a/6a010535d841e1970b01053618c56b970b-pi) The whole team watched the "Lost for Words" documentary on ITV last night - if you missed it, the programme is available to watch online here (http://www.itv.com/News/tonight/episodes/Lostforwords/default.html).
The central argument of the programme was that, in some parts of the country, 50% of children arrive at primary school unable to string a sentence together. Parents have forgotten to chat with their children in simple ways, leaving them lost for words.
To an extent, it’s what we’ve known all along at Talking Tots – reception class teachers regularly tell us that children’s communication skills are often lacking in the early days, and the consequences can last a lifetime.
But we don’t think it’s fair to heap the blame entirely on mothers' shoulders – after all, we working mothers are already busy taking the blame for everything from our children’s emotional stress (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/yourview/1538160/Do-working-mothers-harm-their-children%27s-development.html) and obesity (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6911473.stm) to their disappointing A-Level grades (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1326255/Fewer-A-levels-for-working-mothers-children.html%20) (funny how these studies are all about working mothers rather than working fathers, isn’t it?).
If you and your child aren’t naturally good communicators, it can be difficult for parents to know just where to start. That’s where a structured class like Talking Tots can really help – it provides parents with expert input on fun activities that can be used at home to boost language development and communication skills.
One of the top tips I’d give any parent who wants to boost their children’s communication is to think about introducing one new word every day to your child’s vocabulary. So, if your child points out a “doggie”, say “yes, it’s a FURRY dog, isn’t it? Can you feel how soft and furry the doggie is?”
Keep it simple and try to introduce concrete concepts (like names of objects or simple descriptive words) but don’t be afraid of using new words with children – they’ll absorb new words faster than you think, and have lots of fun trying them out!
Don't forget....
To celebrate the first ever Talking Tots Great Toy Guide, we're giving you the chance to win some Great Toys this Christmas...Win a Stocking Stuffed with £250 of Great Toys from Talking Tots!
To enter, just answer the question below and send your answer to info@talkingtots.info (http://www.talkingtots.info) before December 19th 2008.
Talking Tots currently operates in 21 regions across the UK. Which of these Talking Tots classes is furthest North?
a) Tyneside
b) Durham
c) Fylde
If you're not sure of the answer, click here to visit the Talking Tots (http://www.talkingtots.info)website. The winner will be chosen at random from all correct answers received before the closing date. Good luck!
Reagrds,
Lisa