Teatime rhymes as toddlers turn into mad chatters (From Swindon Advertiser)

Teatime rhymes as toddlers turn into mad chatters

6:00pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News

SIXTY toddlers at Gorse Hill Children’s Centre are getting involved in I CAN’s annual Chatterbox Challenge.

The children, all under four, will take part in the annual educational fundraiser held in nurseries, pre-schools and childminding groups across the country on March 18, to raise funds for I CAN, a communication charity.

They have learned teatime-themed nursery rhymes to develop their speech and language skills and to perform in front of families and carers at their Chatterbox Challenge: Mad Chatter’s Tea Party.

Emma Robins, a family support worker at Gorse Hill Children’s Centre, said: “Come along and see our children and families singing and rhyming as they develop their communication skills, and raise money for children who struggle with speech and language, by wearing fancy dress at our Mad Chatter’s Tea Party.”

I CAN chief executive Virginia Beardshaw said: “The Chatterbox Challenge is a fantastic annual activity, which encourages children to learn nursery rhymes to develop their speaking and understanding skills.

“The activities for the Chatterbox Challenge have been designed by I CAN’s speech and language therapists and teachers to help develop children’s communication skills in a fun and engaging way.”

For more details, see www.ican.org.uk or www.talkingpoint.org.uk.