Talking Tots Harrogate and Surrounding Areas

Happy Valentine’s Day! 💕

Check out Singing Hands signing a well known story for National Story Telling week this week.

Makaton Signed Story - WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT - Singing Hands As part of 2021 - today's is this classic tale written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. Such a br...

Our Talking Tots classes are based around play. Play is a vital part of a child’s development, learning so many skills from problem solving to empathy.

This week we are thinking about play!

Playing with words is so much fun and a great way to build language skills.

Our Sparklers love games based around identifying sounds at the beginning and end of words. Being able to break words into constituent sounds is a important early step towards learning to read and write.

Here's a simple game - sort words that begin with a 'P' sound or an 'S' sound (pig, purse, pirate, sun, sand, sock etc). How many words can you find around your home - lets go on a sound hunt? Let me know how many words you find that start with a 'P' or a 'S'!!

Love this! 🧡
📷 Mrs. D's Corner

🥰

That chocolate bar you gave me,
that was broken up in three,
the one that made me cry,
and you got mad at me.

Those stairs you walked down first,
as I walked behind,
the ones that made me cry,
cos I like going first you'll find.

The breakfast that you gave me,
with my spoon of chocolate spread,
I'm sorry that I cried,
for the way you cut my bread.

Those chicken nuggets I love,
weren't cooked just right today,
I'm sorry that I cried,
I can't help being this way.

I know i make things hard for you,
but I don't know how to change,
I am sorry that I cried
for all that I find strange.

You see I have my ways,
and I know these frustrate you,
and I'm sorry that I cried,
but they get me frustrated too. 😞

You see I am made different and
it's hard to understand,
I have heard it is called Autism,
and I need a helping hand.

To me it's all I know,
and all I ask of you.
Is that you try to see it,
from my point of view.

I don't do things to be naughty,
or want to spoil your day.
I just don't know how to be,
any other way. 😭 J. Boyle

Such a lovely idea! 📖🐾🐶

Sam is back from his holiday and has slots available for you to come and read to him!
Sam is our Pets As Therapy doggo who loves to listen to you read, especially if you aren't too confident! Sam doesn't judge and loves all of the same books as you.
Contact the library to book your slot with Sam.

I love this!

Strictly Makaton - Supporting the Down's syndrome community. Communication is key!That's why the team behind Learn and Thrive are rolling up their sleeves and taking on a Makaton signing challenge.Many young people wit...

How do you talk to a two year old ? Do you let them ‘have a go?’

Diary of a 2 year old:

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me sad. I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told “No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.” This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.” This made me cry.

I wanted to get out of the car on my own but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.” This made me want to run away.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…” I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks any more. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it, I was told “no, don’t do that, you have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “no, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up, I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.” I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me….”What are you doing, why are you just standing there, pick up your toys…Now.” I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move. I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little, let me do it.” This made me feel small. I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying “here, try this, eat this…” and putting things in my face. I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I’m tired and I need someone to hold me. I do not feel safe or in control. This makes me scared. I cry even more.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.

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