I am a speech and language therapist for 20 years. I also love children’s picture books. After my second baby, I reduced my working hours and dreamed about setting up this club. When my youngest took flight to preschool, I decided to marry my two passions, communication development and stories, to form a bookclub for little people. I firmly believe it is never to early to start with books, babies as young as four months can listen and interact with a story. Given my background, everything I do is based on my years of experience and most importantly research and evidence informed practice. At the groups I give evidence informed tips and information about communication, social, emotional, speech and language development.
Did you know that vocabulary development predicts reading development? What’s one of the best ways to develop a large vocabulary? Thats right....Reading aloud!
I have tailored my programme to suit specific developmental stages. These are Tiny Tales, Tumbling tales, Toddler Tales and now Telling Tales.
Tiny Tales is for the non walkers. At this age, board books are best as they can chew them if they want! Tiny Tales includes appropriate stories, rhymes, books and activities to get involved with.
Tumbling Tales is for the newly moving “wobblers”. They dont want to sit and listen for a story after all they’ve just discovered the skill of walking so why should they! All the sessions are interactive so they can do what they want and still enjoy the actvities.
Toddler Tales is for the 2-3 year old age group. They love the routine of the groups and will never let you skip an activity or a page in their favourite book. They love to help with all the fun!
Telling Tales is the new group for 2020! A preschool language and early literacy skills group. There’ll be lots of new, fun, age appropriate activities and stories in this group, all aimed at getting them ready for big school!
Come and join the fun!
I am often in our local coffee shop Brazco Carraig Lair Oranmore, early on Saturday mornings so keep an eye out for events. Last year, I was also honoured to be asked to do storytime with Toddlelou at the Oranmore Arts festival. and Clarinbridge Market Day. And I’m delighted to share I’ll be teaming up with Lindsey from Toodlelou again this year!
I have a story bag and a big imagination both of which can be transported. If you want me to come to an event, group or service, just get in touch. I can travel to Early years Services, Preschools, Baby Toddler groups, just send me a message.
The final word to two wise ones:
“A child, a book, a read, a chat, this is the way the mind grows, not with a test but a tale” Michael Rosen
“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more things you learn the more places you’ll go” Dr Seuss
