RHYME AND REASON: Michelle Holden shows how the pen works to help tots learn nursery rhymes and read books
EAST Lancashire tots can now learn nursery rhymes and read books in languages as diverse as Russian and Urdu thanks to a new high-tech resource.
Children at Sure Starts, children's centres and other early years settings throughout the region can hear old favourites such as Incey Wincey Spider at the touch of a "Talking Pen" on a printed page.
Children can activate songs using the specially formatted Talking Pen - a scanner with an MP3 player inside disguised as a child's chubby crayon - which reads codes on the page invisible to the naked eye, and then play back nursery rhymes in their choice of language.
Michelle Holden, childminding network co-ordinator at Colne Children's Centre, one of the first to get the new equipment in March, said it has already made a difference to youngsters' education.
Michelle, who heads up 22 childminders across Pendle, said: "I ordered eight pens straight away because I thought they were a great idea, and they are.
"We have quite a few children whose first language is not English, and these pens really help them settle in.
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"They can listen to a nursery rhyme in their own language, be it Russian, Polish or Urdu, then we sing it again in English.
"It's not just nursery rhymes. You can program the pen to be able to read classic kids' books too.
"The children love it, and it's a good way to introduce them to technology early on."
The new resource, called Sing, Sign and Rhyme, has been developed by Lancashire County Council's Sure Start Early Years and Childcare/SEN Services in collaboration with leading suppliers in the field.
Marion Bamford, who co-ordinated the project, said: "This is a new take on traditional verses and stories with pictures which relate to modern life but without losing the good old-fashioned appeal of nursery rhymes.
"The main aim is to make them accessible and relevant to under-fives, even if they don't have English as a first language or if Mum and Dad don't know the words."
Michelle said: "We use them in our childminding groups but I'm planning to loan them out so children can take them home and parents can get involved."
The books, posters and DVDs which are used with the Talking Pen also incorporate images of children using sign language to encourage communication without verbal language.
Sing, Sign and Rhyme is available to nurseries, childminders, reception classes and other Early Years settings throughout the county.
For more information e-mail resource.centre@ed.lancscc.gov.uk.
Posted by: top cat, burnley on 1:40pm Mon 5 May 08
THE IMMIGRANTS NEED TO LEARN SPEAK ENGLISH FIRST!!!STUPID IDEA KIDS LEARNING STUFF LIKE URDU,IF MY KIDS WERE TAUGHT THAT THEYD BE WITHDRAWN INSTANTLY FROM THAT NURSERY..IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN ENGLAND!!
THE IMMIGRANTS NEED TO LEARN SPEAK ENGLISH FIRST!!!STUPID IDEA KIDS LEARNING STUFF LIKE URDU,IF MY KIDS WERE TAUGHT THAT THEYD BE WITHDRAWN INSTANTLY FROM THAT NURSERY..IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN ENGLAND!!
Bunch of discriminate idiots who have commented so far. Learning different languages is excellent for the developing brain. It is proven that people who speak more than one language are more intellectual than those who don't. Just goes to prove by the above comments. I fully support kids learning other languages, excellent idea.
Bunch of discriminate idiots who have commented so far. Learning different languages is excellent for the developing brain. It is proven that people who speak more than one language are more intellectual than those who don't. Just goes to prove by the above comments. I fully support kids learning other languages, excellent idea.
WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY,HOW ABOUT A PEN THAT TEACHES ENGLISH ONLY AND SEND THAT HOME WITH THE KIDS THAT CANT SPEAK ENGLISH, OH NO THATS JUST NOT P C..
WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY,HOW ABOUT A PEN THAT TEACHES ENGLISH ONLY AND SEND THAT HOME WITH THE KIDS THAT CANT SPEAK ENGLISH, OH NO THATS JUST NOT P C..
They should be using this pen so that kids whose first language is English can learn a second language.
In most European countries someone who only knows one language would be seen as uneducated and if our kids are going to compete, they need to have a second language.
They should be using this pen so that kids whose first language is English can learn a second language.
In most European countries someone who only knows one language would be seen as uneducated and if our kids are going to compete, they need to have a second language.
People had the nerve to call me on other posts, but that proves the ignorance that is in today's society.
The oncoming train of ignorance is heading straight for the empty tunnel in you head.
People had the nerve to call me on other posts, but that proves the ignorance that is in today's society.
The oncoming train of ignorance is heading straight for the empty tunnel in you head.
Posted by: cypruslad, cyprus on 4:32pm Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]M[/bold] wrote:
Bunch of discriminate idiots who have commented so far. Learning different languages is excellent for the developing brain. It is proven that people who speak more than one language are more intellectual than those who don't. Just goes to prove by the above comments. I fully support kids learning other languages, excellent idea.[/quote] Quite agree another language is good for children,but i dont think russian,polish or urdu are usefull,unless they intend to stay in england.
M wrote:
Bunch of discriminate idiots who have commented so far. Learning different languages is excellent for the developing brain. It is proven that people who speak more than one language are more intellectual than those who don't. Just goes to prove by the above comments. I fully support kids learning other languages, excellent idea.
Quite agree another language is good for children,but i dont think russian,polish or urdu are usefull,unless they intend to stay in england.
I was standing on Ciceley Bridge when the Train of Ignorance left Blackburn Station. Stoopid66 was driving it and removals r me was being removed from the tracks by a brave Police Sergeant as it passed by.
The Gene Genie!
I was standing on Ciceley Bridge when the Train of Ignorance left Blackburn Station. Stoopid66 was driving it and removals r me was being removed from the tracks by a brave Police Sergeant as it passed by.
Posted by: Hellboy, Wacky PC World Hell... on 10:55pm Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]top cat[/bold] wrote:
THE IMMIGRANTS NEED TO LEARN SPEAK ENGLISH FIRST!!!STUPID IDEA KIDS LEARNING STUFF LIKE URDU,IF MY KIDS WERE TAUGHT THAT THEYD BE WITHDRAWN INSTANTLY FROM THAT NURSERY..IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN ENGLAND!![/quote] Though I might have put this comment in a more 'sociable' way,I must admit that you have hit the nail right on the the head.
My daughter is what most idiots would decribe as 'Quadroon'(Google it...),but I would NEVER allow her to be exposed to a scenario that forced her to learn such a redundant language as Urdu,as she is never likely to need it.
I have taught her to be tolerant towards ALL races,but should they ever try ENFORCE anything onto her,she will be more than equiped to cope with the situation...
top cat wrote:
THE IMMIGRANTS NEED TO LEARN SPEAK ENGLISH FIRST!!!STUPID IDEA KIDS LEARNING STUFF LIKE URDU,IF MY KIDS WERE TAUGHT THAT THEYD BE WITHDRAWN INSTANTLY FROM THAT NURSERY..IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN IN ENGLAND!!
Though I might have put this comment in a more 'sociable' way,I must admit that you have hit the nail right on the the head.
My daughter is what most idiots would decribe as 'Quadroon'(Google it...),but I would NEVER allow her to be exposed to a scenario that forced her to learn such a redundant language as Urdu,as she is never likely to need it.
I have taught her to be tolerant towards ALL races,but should they ever try ENFORCE anything onto her,she will be more than equiped to cope with the situation...
Posted by: Robert England, manchester on 7:16pm Wed 7 May 08
We have to ask our self's what language we were speaking when we took over most of Asia and Africa. Did we go to there country wanting to learn there language during the colonial rule or did we simply want to make money??? Its merely just history repeating itself, and we're the ones that started the trend. God Bless England we just dont think.
We have to ask our self's what language we were speaking when we took over most of Asia and Africa. Did we go to there country wanting to learn there language during the colonial rule or did we simply want to make money??? Its merely just history repeating itself, and we're the ones that started the trend. God Bless England we just dont think.
[quote][bold]Robert England[/bold] wrote:
We have to ask our self's what language we were speaking when we took over most of Asia and Africa. Did we go to there country wanting to learn there language during the colonial rule or did we simply want to make money??? Its merely just history repeating itself, and we're the ones that started the trend. God Bless England we just dont think.[/quote] well said! what goes around comes around.....
Robert England wrote:
We have to ask our self's what language we were speaking when we took over most of Asia and Africa. Did we go to there country wanting to learn there language during the colonial rule or did we simply want to make money??? Its merely just history repeating itself, and we're the ones that started the trend. God Bless England we just dont think.
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