Big and Little

Why big and little?

Speech and language therapists, and other child development specialists, often focus on a child’s understanding and use of the words big and little. Why?

Well, these are early language concepts which help us gain an idea of a child’s ability to use words to label more abstract ideas. Words that name objects, (like car, tree, dog, cup, sausage…) are easier to learn, because they are a label for something real and solid. But the meaning of ‘big’ is more difficult concept to grasp. When is something big? It’s all relative – and it is one of the earliest words that indicate to us that a child is beginning to think and communicate about the world in a more complicated way.

All the toys in our big and little range are easily matched together. For example, the materials used in big and little Bob are the same for each size. This means that you don’t have to muddle along with different sized toys that aren’t really look-alikes.

If you would like more information about language concepts, or ideas to develop understanding of ‘big’ and ‘little’, your local Speech and Language Therapist should be able to help………….or drop me an email.

Big And Little: Thomas the Tank Engine Big and little versions of this official Thomas toy. Made of fabric, their wheels are sturdier than their soft bodies to ensure they will always stand up. An excellent motivator to encourage children of all ages to join in your activities, or to draw out a reluctant child. These familiar faces can be used in all your language development activities, especially those requiring size concepts. Length: Big – 35cm, Small – 15cm Manufacturer: Hit Toys Price:       £29.99 Product Code:       CQ151 Can your group wash the big Thomas? How about giving the little Thomas some tea? Take photos of both Thomas’s in different places to see if the children can match what they see. For example, the big one in a box, little one under a chair, etc.

Big and Little: Squidgy Farm Animals At last, a complete set of matching big and little farm animals! With a substantial difference between the big and small versions of these animals, the size concept can really be encouraged, along with animal name vocabulary. These funny friendly animals are made of soft plastic which is robust enough to cope with the most enthusiastic of play – yet is wipe clean and washable. The set includes big and little versions of a pig, sheep, dog, horse, cow and donkey. Each animal is light-weight and the unusually large sized versions are especially easy for small hands to hold and manipulate. Approximate length of each: Large 20cm, Small 8cm Price:       £34.99 Product Code:       CQ146 These animals can be used in your small world play – the larger animals are especially good for outdoor play. Talk about the animals and their sizes as you interact with the children. Can be used to gain knowledge of a child’s level of understanding – use questions such as, “where’s the big cow’s ear?”, or “brush the little dog’s back”, etc.

Big and Little: Squidgy Wild Animals A 'Starting out Right' Exclusive! At last, a complete set of matching big and little wild animals! With a substantial difference between the big and small versions of these animals, the size concept can really be encouraged, along with animal name vocabulary. These funny friendly animals are made of soft plastic which is robust enough to cope with the most enthusiastic of play – yet is wipe clean and washable. The set includes big and little versions of a lion, elephant, tiger, zebra, rhino, hippo. Each animal is light-weight and the unusually large sized versions are especially easy for small hands to hold and manipulate. Approximate length of each: Large 20cm, Small 8cm Price:       £34.99 Product Code:       CQ147 These animals can be used in your small world play – the larger animals are especially good for outdoor play. Talk about the animals and their sizes as you interact with the children. Can be used to gain knowledge of a child’s level of understanding – use questions such as, “where’s the big elephant’s foot?”. Also useful for extending vocabulary range.

Big and Little: Bob the Builder Our friend Bob is an excellent motivator for children. Even the quietest will attempt to sing the theme tune – can we fix it? Big and little Bob can be used in a range of activities to help develop these language concepts. Click on the info button for more ideas. Manufacturer: HIT Toys. Length: Big Bob: 65cm. Little Bob: 20cm Price:       £25.00 Product Code:       CL036 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in the construction corner, and talk about what big Bob says, or what little Bob is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Bob need to go to the post office? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the apple to little Bob”. Can they find the correct Bob? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Bob”. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Wendy Wendy is Bob’s friend. Big and little Wendy can be used in a range of activities to help children develop size vocabulary. Click on the infomation button for more ideas. Manufacturer: HIT Toys. Length: Big Wendy: 65cm. Little Wendy: 20cm Price:       £25.00 Product Code:       CL037 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in the construction corner, and talk about what big Wendy says, or what little Wendy is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Wendy need to go to the doctors? If you are uncertain whether your children will know Wendy’s name, you can still use her – just say “big girl” and “little girl”. For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the orange to little Wendy”. Can they find the correct Wendy? Or you could pretend the toys are sleepy – “Put little Wendy to bed”. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Pilchard Pilchard is Bob the Builder’s cat, and will be familiar to those who watch the programme. If you are uncertain whether your children will know Pilchard’s name, you can still use him – just say “big cat” and “little cat”. Click on the info button for more ideas. Manufacturer: HIT Toys. Length: Big Pilchard: 65cm. Little Pilchard: 20cm Price:       £25.00 Product Code:       CL038 Pilchard can be used in the same way as big and little Bob, (see above). If you want to make your activities more complex, adding extra characters will increase the language demands upon the children. For example, if you have a range of big and little characters, then ask the children to find the little cat, the children will need to be able to understand at least two of the words in your sentence, (your local speech and language therapists can tell you more about how understanding key words in sentences develops).

Big and Little: Husky Dogs We have added the big and little Huskies to compliment the big and little Bob range. The dogs have great size difference and have been selected for those on a tighter budget. If used in conjunction with big and little Pilchard, children can determine between for example the big dog or the little cat. Length: Big Husky: 40cm. Little Husky: 19cm Price:       £15.00 Product Code:       CL039 The huskies can be used in the same way as the big and little Bob range, (see above). If you want to make your activities more complex, adding extra characters will increase the language demands upon the children. For example, if you have a range of big and little characters, then ask the children to find the little dog, the children will need to be able to understand at least two of the words in your sentence, (your local speech and language therapists can tell you more about how understanding key words in sentences develops). The Huskies can also be used as a mummy and puppy.

Big and Little: Winnie the Pooh Here’s chance to purchase a big and little ‘Winnie the Pooh’ from the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ collection (see our favourite character section for the rest of the gang). Pooh is an excellent motivator for children. Big and little Pooh can be used in a range of activities to help develop the language concepts of size. Click on the INFORMATION button for more ideas. Manufacturer: Fisher Price / Disney. Length: Big Winnie: 55cm. Little Winnie: 30cm Price:       £30.00 Product Code:       CQ121 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in and talk about what big Pooh says, or what little Pooh is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Pooh need to go to the supermarket? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the drink to little Pooh”. Can they find the correct Winnie? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Pooh”. The Poohs can also be used in language development tasks (such as putting Pooh in, on or under a box), or just as a comforter. The possibilities are endless!

Travel Big and Little: Pooh Here is chance to purchase a ‘Travel Size’ big and little ‘Winnie the Pooh’ from the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ collection. We have designed this product to be easily transportable, while making sure the difference between Big and Little is still very obvious. Pooh and his friends are excellent motivators for children. Big and little Pooh can be used in a range of activities to help develop the language concepts of size. Click on the INFORMATION button for more ideas. Manufacturer: Fisher Price / Disney. Length: Big Pooh 30cm. Little Pooh: 12cm Price:       £14.99 Product Code:       CQ138 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in and talk about what big Pooh says, or what little Pooh is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Pooh need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the drink to little Pooh”. Can they find the correct Bob? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Pooh’s face”. The two Poohs can also be used in language development tasks (such as putting Pooh in, on or under a box), or just as a comforter. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Eeyore Here’s chance to purchase a big and little ‘Eeyore’ from the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ collection. Pooh and his friends (including Eeyore) are excellent motivators for children. Big and little Eeyore can be used in a range of activities to help develop the language concepts of size. Click on the INFORMATION button for more ideas. Manufacturer: Fisher Price / Disney. Length: Big Eeyore: 55cm. Little Eeyore: 30cm Price:       £30.00 Product Code:       CQ123 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in and talk about what big Eeyore says, or what little Eeyore is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Eeyore need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the drink to little Eeyore”. Can they find the correct Bob? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Eeyore’s face”. The two Eeyores can also be used in language development tasks (such as putting Eeyore in, on or under a box), or just as a comforter. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Piglet Here’s chance to purchase a big and little ‘Piglet’ from the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ collection. Pooh and his friends (including Piglet) are excellent motivators for children. Big and little Piglet can be used in a range of activities to help develop the language concepts of size. Click on the INFORMATION button for more ideas. Manufacturer: Fisher Price / Disney. Length: Big Piglet: 55cm. Little Piglet: 30cm Price:       £30.00 Product Code:       CQ124 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in and talk about what big Piglet says, or what little Piglet is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Piglet need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the drink to little Piglet”. Can they find the correct Bob? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Piglet’s face”. The two Piglets can also be used in language development tasks (such as putting Piglet in, on or under a box), or just as a comforter. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Tigger Here’s chance to purchase a big and little ‘Tigger’ from the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ collection. Pooh and his friends (including Tigger) are excellent motivators for children. Big and little Tigger can be used in a range of activities to help develop the language concepts of size. Click on the INFORMATION button for more ideas. Manufacturer: Fisher Price / Disney. Length: Big Tigger: 55cm. Little Tigger: 30cm Price:       £30.00 Product Code:       CQ122 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in and talk about what big Tigger says, or what little Tigger is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Tigger need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the drink to little Tigger”. Can they find the correct Bob? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Tigger’s face”. The two Tiggers can also be used in language development tasks (such as putting Tigger in, on or under a box), or just as a comforter. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Lumpy the Heffalump Here’s chance to purchase a big and little ‘Lumpy’ from the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ collection. Pooh and his friends (including Lumpy) are excellent motivators for children. Big and little Lumpy can be used in a range of activities to help develop the language concepts of size. Click on the INFORMATION button for more ideas. Manufacturer: Fisher Price / Disney. Length: Big Lumpy: 55cm. Little Lumpy: 30cm Price:       £30.00 Product Code:       CQ125 In a nursery setting, these characters can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Have them as props in and talk about what big Lumpy says, or what little Lumpy is going to do next. (if the child does not know Lumpy by name you can use him as a Heffalump or Elephant) This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Lumpy need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys; “Give the drink to little Lumpy”. Can they find the correct Bob? Or you could pretend the toys are dirty – “Wash the big Lumpy’s face”. The two Lumpys can also be used in language development tasks (such as putting Lumpy in, on or under a box), or just as a comforter. The possibilities are endless!

Big and Little: Maggy the Puppet Big and little Maggy can be used in a range of activities to help children develop size vocabulary. Click on the Information button for more ideas. These two ’Living Puppets are identical in every way except their size. Each has controllable hands as well as mouth. Clothes can be removed or changed. Manufacturer: Living Puppets Length: Big Maggy: 65cm. Little Maggy: 35cm Price:       £99.99 Product Code:       CQ049 In a nursery setting, these puppets can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Use them as props and talk about what big Maggy (or use your own name) says, or what little Maggy is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Maggy need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys or puppets; “Give the orange to little Maggy”. Can they find the correct one? Or you could pretend the toys are sleepy – “Put little Maggy to bed”. The use of puppets in the ‘Big and Little’ context adds many dimensions to the ‘game’. Your hands can fit inside hers, to act out scenarios or to use signs. You can make each open and close her mouth, so they can talk or eat, and this means that you can demonstrate parts of the mouth for children with speech difficulties. Her clothes are removable, so you can also practice clothes vocabulary. Each puppet works best with its own operator

Big and Little: Toby the Puppet Big and little Toby can be used in a range of activities to help children develop size vocabulary. Click on the Information button for more ideas. These two ’Living Puppets are identical in every way except their size. Each has controllable hands as well as mouth. Clothes can be removed or changed. Manufacturer: Living Puppets Length: Big Toby: 65cm. Little Toby: 35cm Price:       £99.99 Product Code:       CQ048 In a nursery setting, these puppets can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Use them as props and talk about what big Toby (or use your own name) says, or what little Toby is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Toby need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys or puppets; “Give the orange to little Toby”. Can they find the correct one? Or you could pretend the toys are sleepy – “Put little Toby to bed”. The use of puppets in the ‘Big and Little’ context adds many dimensions to the ‘game’. Your hands can fit inside his, to act out scenarios or to use signs. You can make each open and close her mouth, so they can talk or eat, and this means that you can demonstrate parts of the mouth for children with speech difficulties. His clothes are removable, so you can also practice clothes vocabulary. Each puppet works best with its own operator

Big and Little: Lotta the Puppet Big and little Lotta can be used in a range of activities to help children develop size vocabulary. Click on the Information button for more ideas. These two ’Living Puppets are identical in every way except their size. Each has controllable hands as well as mouth. Clothes can be removed or changed. Manufacturer: Living Puppets Length: Big Lotta: 65cm. Little Lotta: 35cm Price:       £99.99 Product Code:       CQ047 In a nursery setting, these puppets can be used incidentally to familiarise children with size vocabulary. Use them as props and talk about what big Lotta (or use your own name) says, or what little Lotta is going to do next. This will allow the children to hear the size words in a meaningful context. Perhaps they are in the role play area – does little Lotta need to go to the shops? For more structured language development activities, set up a dinner party. Ask the children to give items of food to one of the toys or puppets; “Give the orange to little Lotta”. Can they find the correct one? Or you could pretend the toys are sleepy – “Put little Lotta to bed”. The use of puppets in the ‘Big and Little’ context adds many dimensions to the ‘game’. Your hands can fit inside hers, to act out scenarios or to use signs. You can make each open and close her mouth, so they can talk or eat, and this means that you can demonstrate parts of the mouth for children with speech difficulties. Her clothes are removable, so you can also practice clothes vocabulary. Each puppet works best with its own operator