The approach encourages children to tell, act out and reflect on their own stories. Speech Bubbles practitioners use a thoroughly proven structure and their expert knowledge of whole-body communication to promote children’s communication, confidence and wellbeing. Speech Bubbles sessions are a different kind of experience to a clinical intervention, practitioners work to create a space which is collaborative, playful and fun.
It is a 20-week (10 per term) workshop programme which supports children in developing their Speaking, Listening and Attention Skills and enhances the skills of a member of school staff (a high-level TA, Learning Mentor or SENCo, for example) to run small group creative work.
What does this evidence show?
Independent research* and evaluation evidence from the Speech Bubbles programme identified the following successes:
- Children gain confidence in using a range of communication skills
- Children identified as selective mutes have chosen to speak in sessions
2018/2019 schools reported that:
- 87% of pupils improved their learning, speaking and listening skills
- 84% of pupils improved their emotional behaviour and conduct behaviour
- 91% of pupils showed improvements in the classroom
*Research co-ordinated by Paula Robinson, Academic from Birkbeck College, University of London.
To read more about the Speech Bubbles programme and its successes in other areas of the country, go to the Speech Bubbles website.
How much does it cost?
The full cost of the programme is £3000+VAT across the 2 terms per school. We recognise that budgets will be tighter than ever, but we feel this is a value-for-money intervention for children who cannot access speech and language therapy and a creative intervention may be something that would be of interest to your school.
If you are interested in learning more about the programme, we have a small number of free 90-minute teacher inset sessions available, that can be delivered as an introduction, on a first come, first served basis. Please email participation@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk to register your interest.
