Reading Fairy Classes Taunton

Sorry it’s a bit of a long one, worth a read though 😜

This time last year I was 35 weeks pregnant and getting ready to begin my mat leave🫄fast forward to today and I was lucky enough to have both of my boys come along to one of my Christmas specials 🥰 and I’m celebrating the end of a wonderful term with a glass of wine!

Thank you SO much to all of the families who attended this term, and to all of you who came along to the Christmas specials this week 🎄🎅🎁 📚 As usual, I was having too much fun to take any photos 🙈 and would love to see yours!

2022 has been a crazy, busy, wonderful year; and I’m sure 2023 is going to be no different (I will be returning to the classroom for the first time in 4 years!), I cannot wait for more Reading Fairy fun in January!

⭐ PRIORITY BOOKING OPENS TONIGHT! ⭐
Existing customers, please check your emails for details on how to book. Places are very limited!

Thinking about gifts for your little ones? Or know someone looking for ideas? 🎁

Why not a Reading Fairy gift voucher? It can be used against classes at any point in the next 12 months!

Or does your little one LOVE finding those animals and objects in class? Why not get them one of our gorgeous A2 posters featuring letters & objects & animals?
1 poster £8.50
2 posters £16

🎄 Get in touch for more info! 🎁

Credit: Peachy Speech and Language Therapy

🗯️ SPEECH CLARITY🗯️

These teddies have a lot on their plates! 🗯️

One of the most common messages I get is asking about speech sounds and how clear children's talking should be at certain ages so I've made up this little visual to summarise it.

Some sounds are easier than others to make - the easy ones are learn first, usually by the age of 3. The next batch develop before 4 years and a few extra tricky ones are perfected around 5 years old.

I don't often offer therapy for little ones under 3 years old for speech clarity because developmentally they still have time to develop naturally! (There are obviously always exceptions!)

As always, if you are worried about your little ones speech please see your Health visitor, GP or self refer to speech therapy as a face to face session is always best for reassurance 🗯️💛🌟

Come on England!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️

With some very cold weather on its way, here are some wonderful ideas from Toddler Sense UK for playing at home! ❄

🎄Phonic Fox has been practicing the phonemes (sounds) we explored this week in our sessions!

⛄️ He has been very good this year so is hoping that there might be some /p/p/presents under the /t/t/tree for him in a couple of weeks time!

Which is your favourite? 🎁

🎄 Every family does things in their own way at Christmas...what are your favourite traditions? Share your favourites below and potentially inspire some new traditions in other households! 🎁

I love this quote and at this time of year I have to remind myself that it's 'presence, not presents' that make memories!
The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is a fab story for little ones at this time of year (as is the film - the 2018 one!).

Anyone else? 😂

It's almost as good as when he tries to say /rrrrrrrr/! 😂😍

Reading Fairy is SO MUCH MORE than phonics and books!
Look at our wonderful characters and the great skills they support during our sessions! Little ones sing, play and have fun whilst learning (without knowing it!).

Did you know.....
....you can join our term at any time?

Last couple of spaces available for little ones aged 1-2years on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:10am, and for September 2023 School Starters on Tuesdays at 12:45pm!

Some great ideas on toys for little ones from our friends at Baby Sensory Taunton and Bridgwater!
🎁 What will Father Christmas be delivering to your baby? 🎁

❄ Last few spaces! ❄
It's not too late to join our fun-filled festive specials in December!
🎅 Tuesday 13th 9:30am (Under 2.5 years)
🎄 Tuesday 13th 12:45pm (Over 3 years)
🎁 Thursday 15th 9:30am (mixed age group) 2 spaces left
🎅 Saturday 17th 9:20am (Under 2.5 years)
🎄 Saturday 17th 10:45am (Over 2.5 years) Fully booked
Book here: https://www.readingfairy.com/taunton/home

Sessions take place at Aspire Fitness & Wellbeing Ltd
Siblings welcome (for a small cost) up to 6 years of age!

🎄 Christmas book calendar 🎅

I know it's still November, sorry for mentioning the C word already! But this is your friendly reminder that a Christmas book calendar is a great way to share books with your little one and to start feeling festive!

Begin by collecting any winter themed or festive books you have on your bookshelves or hidden away with the decorations! Don't forget you can use books from your local library, borrow from family or friends or buy from charity shops. If you don't have 24, you could do the 12 days of Christmas instead!

When you have compiled your books, wrap each book up (I'm using newspaper this year 😂) and number them. You can then select the date each evening and read a lovely festive bedtime story with your little one before they go to bed! 📚 💕

Throwback Thursday!!
Throwback to just before half term when Reading Fairy Classes UK WON at the What's on For Kids Awards
Winner for MOST LOVED ACADEMIC OR CREATIVE ACTIVTY
We are so so proud, I 💙 teaching these classes and love seeing you all each week
THANK YOU EVERYONE

In case you missed it...the first 2 rhymes of World Nursery Rhyme Week are out!
‘The Big Ship Sails’, was traditionally sung as a playground or circle rhyme and is thought to have originated in New Zealand in the 1870’s. A perfect song to accompany us on long voyages across the sea and maritime adventures. But watch out – there be pirates!

Day 2 was 1,2,3,4,5 (once I caught a fish alive)’.
This rhyme was first recorded in Mother Goose's Melody around 1765 and featured a Hare, not a fish!
We love the rhyming element in this one and it’s the perfect counting song for young rhymers.

🔊 Calling all grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends... Are you looking for the perfect Christmas present for the baby, toddler or pre-schooler in your life? Order a Reading Fairy gift voucher and give the gift of engaging and educational classes in 2023 🎁
Vouchers can be purchased up to any amount, to pay for a full term or contribute to the price! 💸 I can send vouchers via email - [email protected] - or send me a message to arrange! 🎅🏻🎄🌟

*vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash*

Good morning and welcome to a brand new week!
I am looking forward to our new topic ☀ 🌙 meeting some new faces 😊 and having lots of fun at Reading Fairy today! 🎉
9:10 - 9:50 Book Babies & Toddler Tales (3 spaces left)
10:15 - 11:00 Story Stars (fully booked)
11:25 - 12:20 Reading Recruits (fully booked)

Hello from Karina at Reading Fairy!

Is your little one due to graduate from Baby Sensory? Have they recently graduated and you are looking for a follow-on class?

Part of the WOW family of award-winning classes, and suitable from 12 months to 5 years, our action-packed classes feature fun phonics, sensory storytelling, original songs and nursery rhymes and picture book time and are the perfect follow-on from Baby Sensory!

Reading Fairy supports early literacy development. Each week, your little one will:
⭐️Enjoy sensory stories with bubbles, balloons, puppets, parachutes and props galore in a language rich environment.
⭐️A gentle introduction to phonics, matching sounds to concrete objects.
⭐️Listen to and join in with words from familiar nursery rhymes to promote early language development.
⭐️Develop rhythm, dexterity and motor skills using musical instruments and joining in with actions.
⭐️Learn simple topic-based words linked to our themes.
⭐️Develop simple early book behaviours such as page turning, looking and pointing at illustrations and hearing repeated language whilst enjoying age-appropriate picture books.

And don’t worry...your little one will not be expected to ‘sit down and listen’ in our classes. Toddling, exploring and dancing are all welcome in our sessions as children are encouraged to join in with activities when they feel comfortable and ready.

Interested? I would love for you to see first-hand the magic that Reading Fairy brings and am delighted to offer Baby Sensory graduates a 30% discount off of their first term! To book your spot, just visit the website and select your preferred day. Use code SENSORY30 to apply your discount.

World Nursery Rhyme Week 2022 is back next week! We love their amazing resources and are excited to find out this year's rhymes! Are you ready rhymers?

To register visit https://www.worldnurseryrhymeweek.com/registration/
To join their event page visit https://www.facebook.com/events/263586142464027

❤️ Today is Remembrance Day ❤️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Today and always.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Our ⭐ Night and Day ☀ topic is coming up next week! This time of year is a great time to develop new vocabulary with your little ones as they see and feel the world changing around them! 🍁
We will be talking about:
🌙 hibernation
🌙 dawn and dusk
🌙 nocturnal animals
🌙 night and day
🌙 autumn and winter
🌙 before and after
...and remember...if they can say 'diplodocus' or 'Iggle piggle' they can learn anything!

Did you know that nursery rhymes boost early language development?

The development of speech and language is a continuous process that begins in the first three years of life and is intricately linked to a child’s earliest experiences with ‘parentese’, conversations, turn-taking, songs, nursery rhymes, action games, stories, and picture books.

One of the key predictors for literacy success is how well children know their nursery rhymes, so it's never too early to start singing nursery rhymes to your baby!

🎅 Booking for our additional Christmas Specials opens this evening! 🎄

❄ Come and join our fun-filled festive sessions on Thursday 15th December at 9:45am (mixed age group) or Saturday 17th December at 9:20am (under 2.5years) and 10:45am (over 2.5years). ❄

Visit https://www.readingfairy.com/taunton/home#TimeTable to book your spot!

Introducing... Reading Fairy! Our storytelling friend features in every class. She:
😃 welcomes everyone with a simple action song
👋 teaches toddlers to wave hello in response to their name
🆎 helps older children find the letters in their name
👫 introduces a sensory or performance story which includes nursery rhymes and songs; props; sensory elements; actions; core phrases; and which links to a theme
No wonder there are so many smiles from the children when she comes out to say hello!

Stay safe and have a wonderful time this Bonfire night! 🎇

New research has shown that talking and listening to young children is vital for development of their language and communication skills (see link in comments).

There's no 'right way' to do it, but talking about something they are showing an interest in is a great way to engage toddlers and broaden their vocabulary; for example "That yellow car is driving carefully along the straight road, beep beep!".

At Reading Fairy we build language and communication skills into all of our classes. The phrases and words we use in our sensory stories are appropriate for each age group, and Chat Cat encourages talking and listening skills from 18 months.

We had such fun at our Reading Fairy Halloween sessions!
Thanks for being spooktacular! 👻 🧙‍♀️ 🎃
Happy Halloween!

Benefits of I Spy 👁
If you are walking around or travelling with your little ones, why not enjoy a round or two of 'I Spy'?

Reading Fairy founder, Emily Guille-Marrett, explains: "Traditional word games like 'I Spy' are great for helping children to prepare for reading from a young age.

If your child doesn’t yet know their letter sounds, you can spy things of a certain colour, or that make a particular noise. Later, you can progress to spying things beginning with a letter (using the phonic sounds) alongside a little clue if needed. E.g. "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with /c/ that goes miaow!" 🐱

Playing with language will give your child confidence with the spoken word, and will also help them develop an enthusiasm for the varied sounds and structures of the English language."

Good luck everyone! 🤞

🦊 Phonic Fox's Top Tips: Phonics for pre-schoolers and Reception children!

🤩 Play games! There are endless websites, bloggers and educational experts out there with ideas for activities to do with your little ones. Try to keep it fun and simple (see pictures):
* Toilet roll spinner
* Hide letters around the house and see what words you can find
* Play sound BINGO
* Ball pool phonics (also works well with learning/practising names)
* Sing songs: Lots of our Reading Fairy class favourites are on Spotify and Apple Music, but you can make them up too!

Repeat.....repeat......repeat: Children love the reassurance of doing things again and getting it right! It also helps whatever they are learning to stick!

Do you have any other activities that work well with your little ones? Please share below!

Only a couple of days until our FULLY BOOKED Halloween specials!
Can't wait to see you and your little ones at Aspire Fitness & Wellbeing Ltd on Sunday morning!
Don't forget that little ones (and adults!) are welcome to dress up 🧙‍♀ 🎃 🦴 🐱 👻

Thank you all for such a wonderful term!

I would be so grateful if you could spend 2 minutes writing a review of Reading Fairy!
I've been running sessions for over 3 years now and unfortunately social media is not particularly supportive of small businesses (unless I spend money on ads!), so I rely on recommendations to spread the word. Thank you in advance! 😍

Don't forget that the clocks go back on Saturday night/Sunday morning!
Here are some tips (worth trying if it means an extra hour in bed right? 🙈):

🕛 Migrate their sleep pattern slowly
Try changing bedtime over the course of a week/weekend. This eases your child’s body clock into the new time zone rather than asking it to jump one hour in one go. For babies and toddlers (who are still napping) change their bedtime by 10 or 15 minutes per day, this means by Sunday you will already be on the right schedule.

🕛 Have longer bath times
Make bath time a little longer to help stretch out the time in the evening. You are basically trying to add 10 minutes to their day. This will also help relax your child.

🕛 Get them up later in the morning
As your child is going to bed later each day, they should be woken up 10 minutes later too. Use black-out shades for the morning time so the light is blocked out and children are not woken up earlier than planned.

You can read the full article here: https://thesleepsite.co.uk/sleep-tips-for-children-when-clocks-go-back/

Only 2 weeks until the start of next term! 🤩
Book your spot now!
https://www.readingfairy.com/taunton/home#TimeTable

We've had a wonderful first term back at Reading Fairy! The whole gang have had a blast! 🧚‍♀️ 🐭 🦊 🐱 🐻 We have loved exploring the farm with Old Macdonald 🐷 and going on a Jungle Safari 🐯 with you and your little ones!
We've sung lots of nursery rhymes with Music Mouse and learnt lots of phonics with Phonic Fox (well done grown-ups too 🤩).
If you have any photos that you'd like to share, please send them to me or post them here!

Do you love sharing a story with your two year old? Do they have a favourite?
If you're looking for some more ideas of what to read with them, why not try these books? They have been recommended by the BookTrust as, "the best books for 2 year olds."
Let us know which one your toddler loves most!

🙌 WOW WOW WOW
We are winners again! We never take winning for granted and thank you all for voting and coming along to our wonderful WOW classes
We are delighted to announce that we have won REALLY BIG at the What's On 4 Kids awards 🎉
💚Baby Sensory - most loved baby activity
💙Toddler Sense - most loved sport or physical activity
💜Reading Fairy - most loved creative or academic activity
Thank you to everyone who voted. These awards mean the world to us. We are so happy that you all love our classes so much - thank you!! 🎉
Also HUGE congratulations to all of the incredible WOW team! To all those nominated, ‘Highly Commended’ and to the ‘Winners’ of the individual ‘WO4K Awards’ we are all so incredibly proud of the love, dedication and commitment you have.
🏆🌟🤩
Thank you 🙏