Early Interaction & Learning

Toys and activities in this section are ideal for younger children, or those with speech and language delays, who are just starting out on the journey towards communication and learning.

Items here may be useful for Speech and Language Therapists, professionals interested in children’s early learning, and early years settings. Many of the products have been selected so that they encourage early interaction skills, such as looking, listening, and making an attempt to communicate.

Wooden Shape Fitter This traditional style wooden shape fitter is a quality shape fitter with coloured shapes that fit into the removable top. Hours of fun!! Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CA030 Shape posting games can be invaluable core items to have in your cupboard, especially if you are interested in the interaction skills of young children. If you retain the pieces and keys, the child needs to interact in order to play the game. Of course, the shape fitter is also useful for developing hand- eye co-ordination, shape recognition and fine motor skills.

Wooden Bead and Wire Game A handy sized small bead and wire frame, which is ideal for gaining the attention of young children. Its smaller size means that it is easily transportable. Length: approx: 20cm Price:       £6.99 Product Code:       CA031 The ‘bead and wire’ toy is now a main stay in any waiting room or communal area and so easily recognisable to all children. The handy sized version offered here is easily transportable and can be used to encourage a child to engage in interaction on a first meeting, or as a distraction whilst talking to a parent, (for example, at the end of a therapy or assessment session). Small and sturdy enough to be transported to different venues or when home visiting.

Windmill Blower This is a hand held and brightly coloured windmill, which spins when you blow it. Price:       £2.99 Product Code:       CC026 The windmill blower is excellent for developing awareness of oral air stream, or encouraging interaction and turn taking.

Pop-Up Dolls x 2 Two dolls that hide in the cone until you make them pop up! Length: 12cm Price:       £3.99 Product Code:       CC032 These are great attention – grabbers, or use them to encourage shy children to interact. They can also be used to encourage eye contact if held close to the face.

Disney Bubbles x 4 An old favourite! Four bottles of bubbles with Disney designs. (designs may vary) Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CA024 Bubbles have a multitude of uses, whether you are working with individuals or groups of children. They can be a treat at the end of a session or as an attention-grabber at the beginning. All children love to pop the bubbles. They can also be used to develop oral awareness and awarenes of airstream through the mouth.

Piggy Torch Torches are an excellent tool for motivating young children’s learning. Our piggy torch has a conventional on/off button, but also a wing that powers a dynamo to light him up – so you don’t need batteries. Use in dark dens and gloomy corners to create a discussion point, or in activities to develop any sort of vocabulary. Length: 12cm Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ149 Can you shine the light on the big elephant? What about shining the light on the little lion’s nose? Inject a bit of fun into group time in your setting, or into your speech therapy session by turning off the lights and using a torch to light the way.

'Things that go together' Puzzle Game A box of 15 ‘Think and Match’ photographic puzzles focussing on: ‘Things that go together’. Can you match the; bucket and spade, cake and candles, hand and glove, etc.. Manufacturer: GALT. Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ302 A useful activity for a range of settings. A fun jigsaw which can also be used to help develop or assess general language abilities. In a group, children can have one part of the puzzle, and take turns to hunt for the piece which matches.

Pop-up People An amusing wooden toy with four colourful people which bob up and down. Designed to encourage hand and eye coordination and introduce colour awareness. Manufacturer: GALT. Price:       £7.99 Product Code:       CQ307 An attention grabbing little toy which rarely fails to encourage young children to interact - and often delights adults too. Ideal for ‘ready – steady – go’ games, or as an ice-breaker.

Stack and Nest Farm Friends Four colourful animals to stack by size or nest inside each other for a fun game of peek-a-boo. With textures and sounds to explore. There is a rattle, bell or squeaker in each animal as well as crinkle texture material. Soft, safe and machine washable. Packed in a PVC bag with carry handle. Click on the picture to the left for a closer look. Manufacturer: GALT. Price:       £12.99 Product Code:       CQ309 A useful resource for young children, this toy can be used in any activity which reinforces animal vocabulary. Take turns to build and topple the tower, encourage interaction and manipulation skills, or turn them upside-down and use the cups to hold counters for older children. I have also hidden sound or object cards underneath the cups in a hide and seek game.

Animal Pairs Game A simple fun game designed to encourage the development of a child’s vocabulary, memory and concentration. 54 picture cards featuring colourful animal characters and play guide. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ319 Remember – you don’t have to use all the pieces – for younger children, or those just developing their skills, choose a few well known animals and just use those.

Word Dominoes Game A fun game designed to encourage picture and word recognition or matching. Colourful pictures show familiar objects to link together. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ322 Here is one way that you can manipulate the game to help younger children, or those just developing their skills, achieve success. Arrange the pieces in one pile before you start. Make sure that each piece has a match following it on the next piece. Let the children take one from the top of the pile and match their piece to domino line you will create. This way, the game becomes practise for turn taking and picture recognition, rather than a competitive domino game with too many rules. Don’t forget, with photos and other pictures, you can create domino games to practise vocabulary or speech sounds of your choice. It’s easy!

Play Mat / Toy bag This innovative product from 'ALEX Toys' folds from a toy carrier to a play mat. On one side of the mat is a fun green polker-dot design, on the other is a road lay out which can be used with any of the transport pieces in the Vocabulary Development: Transport Section Please note: One play mat / toy bag supplied. Other toys (and boy) shown for illustration, they are not included. Manufacturer: ALEX Toys. Dimensions: Play Mat: 90 x 90cm Price:       £18.99 Product Code:       CQ402 I really like this product. Imagine, from the child’s point of view, you come into the room with this big container of toys (exciting in itself), then after a few seconds a play mat appears, as if by magic. Can be used for motivation or early interaction, or along side the ‘Megabolks Transport set’ (CQ137) or ’Squidgy Transport pack’ (CQ400) for phonology drills. Obviously as a bag for toys this product will help to tidy the store room, toy cupboard or the back of the car.

Bean Bag 'toss and Tote' Game A wipe-clean mat with brightly coloured designs and 4 bean bags. The mat is double-sided, for 2 bean-bag throwing games. Use as designed for a turn-taking game or small group activity… or adapt for language or speech sound practice. Manufacturer: ALEX Price:       £18.99 Product Code:       CQ403 To practice specific sounds or vocabulary, attach pictures or symbols to the targets. Can you hit one with a bean-bag? Get them to tell everyone what they got!

'Who's Hiding' Puzzle Set Who’s that behind the umbrella? Find who’s hiding under, in, on or behind familiar objects. A lovely jigsaw of matching pairs with clear photographs to support prepositional, (place) vocabulary. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ316 This jigsaw can be used in a variety of settings, with children who have a range of abilities. For example; if you want to develop understanding and use of the word ‘in’, pick out the pieces which depict that word. Talk about the pictures with the child as you put the jigsaws together. Model your sentences to the child, by saying something like, “The bear is in the cupboard”, or “Who is in the cupboard?” When the child is confident, you can ask “Where is the bear?”

Clock-o-Dile A friendly crocodile helps you learn to tell the time. With hands that rotate and both minutes and hours marked around the edge. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £3.99 Product Code:       CQ321

Fill and Spill Flowerpot A soft flowerpot with crinkle grass to fill with four colourful toys. Spill out the toys and start again. With sounds and textures to explore, including a squeaky snail, dotty flower, ladybird rattle and crinkle butterfly. Soft, safe and machine washable. Packed in a PVC bag with carry handle. Manufacturer: GALT. Price:       £12.99 Product Code:       CQ305 The GALT ‘Fill and Spill Flower Pot’ can be used as an early interaction activity, as a turn taking game amongst groups of children. It tends to generate a lot of fun and laughter and is a great compliment to the Frog in a box.

'What's Next' Puzzle Game This box contains ten colourful puzzles designed to develop storytelling skills and help language development. Each three-piece sequence puzzle is a simple storyline drawn from a child’s own experience. Will also encourage left to right orientation. Manufacturer: GALT. Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ312 An excellent start to sequencing activities, for home, clinic, nursery or toy library! The jigsaw design makes success more likely, therefore an ideal introduction or support for time or sequence concept development. Children can use the 3 pieces to practice a ‘first… next… then…’ format to their story sequence.

'Opposite' Puzzle Game 16 colourful and amusing puzzles to encourage the understanding of the concept of opposites. The 2 piece puzzles introduce commonly used words and draw from a child’s own experience to stimulate discussion and language development. Clear, bright cartoon illustrations. . Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ318 The concept of opposites develops as a child’s knowledge of the world grows and their understanding of word meanings increases. Reinforcing and supporting development of opposites will help enrich a child’s developing language, helping vocabulary, word –finding, memory and sequencing. Plus… jigsaws are fun! With this particular set of puzzles, you also have the reassurance of no failure… in the end you get it right because there is only one piece that fits.

'Opposites' Photo Puzzle Game A box of 15 ‘Think and Match’ photographic puzzles focussing on: ‘Opposites’. Can you match the; happy and sad, in and out, asleep and awake, old and new, etc.. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £4.99 Product Code:       CQ301 A useful activity for a range of settings. A fun jigsaw which can also be used to help develop or assess general language abilities. In a group, children can have one part of the puzzle, and take turns to hunt for the piece which matches.

MegaBloks: BumperPack This is a great value 100 piece Megabloks bumper pack including reusable soft plastic container. Manufacturer: MegaBloks Price:       £14.99 Product Code:       CQ115 Construction made easy for small hands. This ‘Bumperpack’ contains 100 pieces including eyes, wheels and a range of shapes. As it says on the bag… this product is ideal for developing imagination, problem solving, social development, fine motor skills, and knowledge of colours and shapes.

MegaBloks: Standard Pack The MegaBloks ‘Standard Pack’ contains 24 pieces and includes a reusable soft plastic container. Manufacturer: MegaBloks Price:       £7.99 Product Code:       CQ118 Construction made easy for small hands. This ‘Standard Pack’ is ideal for a distraction activity while professionals and parents talk, or as a resource for smaller groups. Play ideas included inside. As it says on the bag… this product is ideal for developing imagination, confidence, social development, fine motor skills, and knowledge of colours, shapes, maths and science.

MegaBloks: Winne the Pooh This official ‘Winnie the Pooh’ MegaBloks ‘Character Pack’ contains 12 pieces, including Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and a 'hunny' pot. It is a great way to add character to the ‘Standard’ or ‘Bumper packs’. Manufacturer: MegaBloks Price:       £6.99 Product Code:       CQ119 Construction made easy for small hands. This ‘Character Pack’ is ideal as a distraction activity while professionals and parents talk, or as a resource for smaller groups. Pooh characters can also be used as characters in activities to develop understanding and use of spoken language, (e.g. in word level activities).

Frog Jack-in-a-box This froggy favourite will be a well loved addition to any collection. Open the lid and the frog jumps out. The box has a soft cover to reduce bumps and bashes and a textured textile flower on its lid. This product is suitable for children 9 months and over. Manufacturer: GALT. Price:       £14.99 Product Code:       CQ306 The GALT Frog-in-a-box can be used as an early interaction activity, as a turn taking game amongst groups of children or as an early cause and effect toy. It tends to generate a lot of fun and laughter and is very popular as a speech and therapist’s aid.

Jack-In-A-Box A soft version of the classic toy. Lift up the lid and the friendly Jack jumps up with a squeaky sound. Hide him away in his colourful box and repeat the game of peek-o-boo, time and time again. Soft and safe with removable, machine washable box and lid covers. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £14.99 Product Code:       CQ314 An excellent toy to amuse young children… and any adults who happen to be around! This funny Jack can help turn taking and attention skills when you pass him round a small circle, and has been known to halt proceedings when he drew a crowd in a busy stay and play session. A useful resource for group or one to one sessions, and a real attention – grabber.

Chunky Wooden Puzzle: On the Farm A wooden colourful and characterful seven piece, chunky inset board. The familiar animals can be easily manipulated by small hands. Price:       £11.99 Product Code:       CC001 Younger children, or those with difficulty focussing their attention, may find it hard to complete this type of puzzle - especially if it is in a settling where children have choice to move quickly from activity to activity. Support them by sitting alongside them, giving them one piece at a time, and telling them about the piece. Use the animal sound or the name of the animal to help the child locate which piece you mean.

Chunky Wooden Puzzle: Transport This is an excellent inset board with clear pictures of transport items. Pieces can be easily lifted and manipulated by small hands. Price:       £11.99 Product Code:       CC034 Younger children, or those with difficulty focussing their attention, may find it hard to complete this type of puzzle - especially if it is in a settling where children have choice to move quickly from activity to activity. Support them by sitting alongside them, giving them one piece at a time. Make the activity into a language enhanced time by telling them about the piece, using the name and the noise it makes.

Wooden Puzzle: Transport This is an excellent inset board with clear pictures of transport items. Pieces can be easily lifted and manipulated by small hands, using the chunky knobs. Price:       £11.99 Product Code:       CC002 Younger children, or those with difficulty focussing their attention, may find it hard to complete this type of puzzle - especially if it is in a settling where children have choice to move quickly from activity to activity. Support them by sitting alongside them, giving them one piece at a time. Make the activity into a language enhanced time by telling them about the piece, using the name and the noise it makes.

Flashing Squidgy Catapillar Ball Soft caterpillars which flash when you squeeze them. Ideal for sensory rooms or dark dens, or to grab a child’s attention. Colours vary. Let us know your preference with the order. One supplied. Length: 10cm Price:       £1.99 Product Code:       CM916

Flashing Squidgy Puffer Ball Soft spikey balls which flash when you squeeze them. Ideal for sensory rooms or dark dens, or to grab a child’s attention. Colours vary as shown (pink is also available). Let us know your preference with the order. One supplied. Diameter: 5cm Price:       £1.49 Product Code:       CQ154

Flashing Rainbow Ball Rainbow-coloured ‘Jet’ balls which flash when you bang them. Ideal for sensory rooms or dark dens, or to grab a child’s attention. One supplied. Diameter: 6cm Price:       £1.99 Product Code:       CM920

Water Wiggler A Water Wiggler, which is a clear plastic tube which is folded in on itself, meaning that its very hard to hold and will easily escape your grasp. Inside the tube is a blue liquid and tropical fish, including a clown fish which children will often recognise as 'Nemo'. Children should not be left alone with this relatively fragile product. Approximate length: 10cm Price:       £1.49 Product Code:       CM923 A ’water snake’ – a soft tube filed with liquid and small objects, which moves and slides when you play with it. A little trinket for your collection of tactile objects, to amuse and fascinate young and old alike. Items such as this ‘water snake’ can be used to entertain children while you talk to carers, (carry one in your bag if you visit homes). Or use them in your sensory play sessions.

Mini Flashing Animal Collection A set of five flashing animals, includes one of each: frog, duck, fish, whale and dolphin. Small size means not to be used as a toy for children under 3 years. Length: 2.5cm Price:       £10.00 Product Code:       CB024 These small animals are amazing! Hold them in your hand and they magically begin to flash… then they stop when you put them down! They are ideal as attention-grabbers for children who tend to wander, for use in sensory rooms and dark dens, or as rewards and motivators.

'Soundtracks' - Noisy Game The original, award winning game! Match everyday sounds to the colourful photographs that appear on each lotto board. Contents: CD, 4 game boards with 36 everyday sounds, 40 counters. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £6.99 Product Code:       CQ303 This type of activity is excellent for developing a child’s awareness of sounds they may hear. It can be used as a foundation for helping raise their awareness of speech sounds. Alternatively, use it just for fun, to develop attention and listening skills, or as a game in a quieter corner. Children with difficulties may benefit from support enable them to access this activity – be prepared to sit with them while they attempt it. You can make the game easier by ensuring that children know the pictures - talk about what you see before playing the CD. Stopping the CD after each sound or replaying sounds can also help. If they are still unsure, give them a choice of two pictures, pointing to each one as you name it; “What was that noise? Was it the guitar or the car?” Keep it fun – and just do a few sounds if the whole CD is too long.

'Animal Soundtracks' - Noisy Game 30 animals are bought to life using stunning photography and real sounds. Match the animal recording to the photographs on the gameboards. Contents: CD with recordings of 30 animal sounds, 4 game boards and 40 counters. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £6.99 Product Code:       CQ304 This type of activity is excellent for developing a child’s awareness of sounds. It can be used as a foundation for helping raise their awareness of speech sounds. Alternatively, use it just for fun, to help animal vocabulary, or as a game in a quieter corner. Children with difficulties may benefit from support enable them to access this activity – be prepared to sit with them while they attempt it. You can make the game easier by ensuring that children know the pictures - talk about what you see before playing the CD. Stopping the CD after each sound or replaying sounds can also help. If they are still unsure, give them a choice of two pictures, pointing to each one as you name it; “I heard a loud noise. Was it the elephant or the sheep?” Keep it fun – and just do a few sounds if the whole CD is too long.

'Nursery Rhyme Soundtracks' - Noisy Game Match ‘Nursery Rhyme’ to the colourful photographs that appear on each lotto board. Contents: CD, 4 game boards with 36 everyday sounds, 40 counters. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £6.99 Product Code:       CQ317 This type of activity is excellent for developing a child’s awareness of sounds they may hear. It can be used as a foundation for helping raise their awareness of speech sounds. Alternatively, use it just for fun, to develop attention and listening skills, or as a game in a quieter corner. Children with difficulties may benefit from support enable them to access this activity – be prepared to sit with them while they attempt it. You can make the game easier by ensuring that children know the pictures - talk about what you see before playing the CD. Stopping the CD after each sound or replaying sounds can also help. If they are still unsure, give them a choice of two pictures, pointing to each one as you name it; “What was that noise? Was it the guitar or the car?” Keep it fun – and just do a few sounds if the whole CD is too long.

Transport Baby Puzzles A set of 6 shaped 2 piece puzzles. Simple colour puzzles with chunky pieces to encourage early matching skills and manual dexterity. Excellent for developing transport vocabulary. Manufacturer: GALT Price:       £5.99 Product Code:       CQ315 These early puzzles are easy for small fingers to manipulate. A useful resource for a variety of settings – or just for fun.