Vocab. Development: Transport

Does your nursery need themed resources? Or are you running a group to develop children’s vocabulary? Are you looking for language development ideas for a toy library?
The resources you find in this section (and the other ‘Vocabulary Development’ sections) would be useful in a range of situations.

This section includes products focussing on ‘Transport’ including cars, lorries and aeroplanes.


HOW TO HELP VOCABULARY RANGE AND WORD LEARNING.
Young children learn words by hearing them used over and over again, in the correct context. For various reasons, some children struggle to develop their vocabulary range – they learn and use fewer words than expected for their stage of development. Often, these children need the adults around them to actively do something different to support the child’s language learning; for example, to use the vocabulary that is lacking, (e.g. when the child is playing, name the items they are using).

Some of the products listed below can be used in free or directed play. For more specific work, set up groups or work with individuals on a vocabulary theme. If you want more information on vocabulary development for particular children, we advise you to contact your local Speech and Language Therapy Department.

Room Make Over Kit: Disney Pixar ‘Cars’ This is the FunToSee Disney Pixar ‘Cars’ room make over kit. Transform those dull corridors, uninspired nursery rooms, tired clinics and un-welcoming waiting areas! These amazing make-over kits will instantly brighten up any room, and provide a talking point as well. Children (and adults) will love the bright designs and delightful characters. Easy to apply, removable and splash-proof, they appeal to NHS sites and early years settings because they are wipe clean. 48 stickers including all the favourites: Lightning McQueem, Mater etc . Click on the picture to see how your room could look! Manufacturer: FunToSee Price:       £39.99 Product Code:       CQ505 One kit really does transform a whole room, with stickers that adhere to walls, furniture, doors and bathroom tiles. They can be re-stuck as many times as you like, so don’t worry if you want to rearrange them. They are so easy to position that some settings buy more than one design and swop them between rooms on a regular basis. They leave no mark or residue… so don’t worry about what the caretaker will say!

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.

Magnetic Transport Scene A reversible magnetic board with a road scene on each side with magnetic characters, cars, traffic lights etc. Click on the picture for a closer look. Price:       £5.99 Product Code:       CA020 This set can be used to develop transport vocabulary (car, bus etc.) or prepositional language (‘placement’ phrases and words such as in front, behind, next to etc).

Magnetic Fire Heroes Scene A reversible magnetic board with a city scene on each side, with magnetic characters, fire engine, etc. Click on the picture for a closer look. Support your stories, or let children’s imagination run wild! Price:       £5.99 Product Code:       CA026 This set can be used to develop vocabulary (fire engine, etc..) or prepositional language (‘placement’ phrases and words such as in front, behind, next to etc).

'People that Help US' Puppet - Lollipopman A cheerful hand puppet of a ‘Lollipopman’, which can help introduce children to different professionals. Use in group time or in your role play areas. Great for acting out scenarios, encouraging language creativity, and developing vocabulary range. Manufacturer: The Puppet Company Price:       £4.75 Product Code:       CQ064

Sticker Set: Transport This high quality sticker set focussing on Transport can be used as rewards for those children who need that little bit more motivation, or just for fun - in therapy, nursery or home settings. The set contains 3 sheets of stickers of various designs and a notelet book. Two sheets are glittery and the third matt The matt sheet is 18cm x 18cm and the glitter sheets are 15cm x 18cm. Price:       £2.99 Product Code:       CQ262 Not another boring therapy session on how to say that sound… Wait just there! Every time I say it correctly, I get a sticker. I put them all on my Sound Certificate, and take it home with me.

Thomas the Tank Engine A large official Thomas the Tank Engine toy. Made of fabric, his wheels are sturdier than his soft body to ensure he 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. This Thomas is bigger than most, so is easier for small hands to manipulate. Thomas can be used in many games to help children develop language skills. Length: 15cm Manufacturer: Hit Toys Price:       £7.50 Product Code:       CQ152 Thomas is such an ever-popular character. How about including him in activities to develop listening and understanding… “Give Thomas an apple from the big plate”, “Wash Thomas’ nose or “Hide Thomas in the big tunnel”. Take photos of Thomas in different places to see if the children can match what they see. For example, in a box, under a chair, by the door, under a table. Photos of Thomas in the environment outside your setting can provoke discussions - talk about where Thomas is… at the park, on the swings, at the shops, in a car…

Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends A set of three official characters; Thomas (blue), James (red) and Percy (green). 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. These lovely toys can also be used in colour recognition or matching tasks. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Length: 15cm Manufacturer: Hit Toys Price:       £17.50 Product Code:       CQ150 How about including Thomas, James and Percy in activities to develop listening and understanding… “Give Thomas an apple from the big plate”, “Wash Percy’s nose or “Hide James in the big tunnel”. I once saw a therapist use a toy train for a speech sound blending activity. She had a sound picture Velcro-ed to his front wheel, (she used a ‘S’). She then added other sounds to the next wheel, one by one, (first an ‘eee’, then an ‘oh’, etc). The child she was working with could blend the sounds together well – so she added a third sound to the last wheel… S-ee-t, S-oh-p etc.

Big Car Set This ‘MEGABLOKS’ set contains the: Big Red Racing Car, Big Blue Police Car and Big Yellow Truck. Each breaks into three pieces. They are ideal for encouraging reluctant children to interact, or to add to your collection of transport items. Primary colours for colour vocabulary. Tough and sturdy enough to last for years. Manufacturer: MEGABLOKS Length of Each: 10cm Price:       £14.99 Product Code:       CQ137 This collection of toy cars can be used to encourage speech sound practice. Every time the child gets a sound right they get a piece of each of the cars to piece together. You can also have fun by putting together mixed up cars (a great ice breaker). Once the cars are put together have a race or talk about the best one etc.. The fact that they are also bright, strong and primary colours means that they are perfect for discussing colours.

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.

Squidgy Transport Set This bath squirter set of 5 transport from ‘Alex Toys’ includes a red car, a police car, a fire engine, an aeroplane and a boat in a reusable transparent bag. These toys will hurt a lot less than a metal, wooden or plastic toy, if thrown at you. Please note: One set of 5 supplied. Manufacturer: ALEX Toys. Length: 7cm. Price:       £8.99 Product Code:       CQ400 If you have a water tray, These toys can be used in a range of language development activities. How about practising your prepositions, (location words), by putting the car inthe tube, or under the water? They would also be great to use for vocabulary development.

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.

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:       £3.99 Product Code:       CQ330 These early puzzles are easy for small fingers to manipulate. A useful resource for a variety of settings – or just for fun.