YOUNG CHATTERBOXES RISE TO THE CHALLENGE
Cheeky monkeys and little lions will raise awareness of the importance of language skills in County Durham’s young children.
Under-fives will take part in the Chatterbox Challenge as part of the Make Chatter Matter campaign.
The national children’s sing-along event has been created by I CAN, the children’s communication charity.
It will have a jungle theme with cheeky monkeys and little lions performing jungle jingles.
Children will take part in the family fun day events, including arts and crafts, song and rhyme, storytelling and face painting, at:
· Kelloe Sure Start Children’s Centre, Front Street, Kelloe, on Wednesday, March 14, 1pm to 3pm;
· Ushaw Moor Sure Start Children’s Centre, Durham Road, Ushaw Moor, on Thursday, March 15, 1pm to 3pm;
· Laurel Avenue Sure Start Children’s Centre, Laurel Avenue, The Woodlands, Gilesgate, on Friday, March 16, 9.30am to 11.30am.
Sure Start County Durham, County Durham Primary Care Trust and I CAN are behind the initiative which also aims to provide information to parents and carers on speech and language development.
Research has shown that one in 10 children across the UK struggle with a communication disability.
Gayle Wesson, Speech and Language Therapist for the Durham Children’s Centre Cluster, said: “It is so important to Make Chatter Matter with the Chatterbox Challenge.
“Communication skills are the foundation for children’s learning, literacy and social development.”
Parents concerned about their child’s speech can call into their local children’s centre for advice or contact their GP, health visitor or local speech and language therapy department.
Alternatively further information is available from
www.talkingpoint.org.uk.
Ends
Note to News Editors: You are invited to send a reporter and/or photographer to:
· Ushaw Moor Sure Start Children’s Centre, Durham Road, Ushaw Moor, on Thursday, March 15, 1pm to 3pm;
· Laurel Avenue Sure Start Children’s Centre, Laurel Avenue, The Woodlands, Gilesgate, on Friday, March 16, 9.30am to 11.30am.
Children at each of the centres will take part in the Chatterbox Challenge to raise awareness of the importance of language skills.
For more information please contact Gayle Wesson on 0191 373 4844.