Children's Chatterbox Challenge

CHILDREN and their parents came along to a free all-day road show at The Trafford Centre on 12 February, as part of the Chatterbox Challenge from I CAN, the children’s communication charity. The Chatterbox Challenge is an annual educational and fundraising activity for children aged 0-5 in pre-schools, nurseries and childminding groups to practise rhymes and songs to develop children’s communication skills.

Free goodie bags were handed out to parents and families packed full of information and resources on ways to develop children’s communication skills

The fun filled day was one of three nationwide events for I CAN's Chatterbox Challenge and was a big celebratory close to Chatterbox Challenge week, which had run from the 1 – 7 February.

The day’s activities included sessions with children’s author and poet, Pauline Stewart, interactive dramatic play sessions with Debutots, and all day face-painting and magic shows. BoogieMites were also there to lead the children in dancing and music workshops. Many local children met Humf, the fluffy little thing from Nick. Jr. and hundreds of free goodie bags were handed out to parents and families packed full of information and resources on ways to develop children’s communication skills.

Families also had the chance to meet Leah Gooding, a presenter on popular children’s show Newsround, and the Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Jane Baugh and Mayoral Consort Dr. Peter Baugh who came along to see activities happening on the day.

This year’s Chatterbox Challenge theme is ‘Kids in Motion: Get active and make chatter matter’, where children will be combining words with actions to perform popular songs including ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ and ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’. Thanks to the kind support of Openreach, every penny raised by children goes directly to I CAN’s work with children with speech, language and communication needs.

For more information about I CAN charity and to register and receive your free Chatterbox Challenge pack, visit www.ican.org.uk.