Mr Tumble's still number one with kids!
After talking to friends with children, it appears that most pre-schoolers are mad about signing presenter Mr Tumble!
Mr Tumble, AKA Justin Fletcher, uses the signing system Makaton in his programme Something Special. Especially developed for children and adults with learning and/or communication difficulties, the system was initially based on the British Sign Language (BSL), but varies in some ways. (Infact, if seen in stills or out of context, it may cause confusion to someone familiar with BSL.)
The name of the programme derives from the idea that all children, irrespective of their position on the learning spectrum, are special.
Friends purport that the programmes have helped their young children to communicate with them. Rosie Norman, mother of two year-old Emma says: "Emma is still learning to talk, and Mr Tumble's sign language has helped her a lot with her speech. She's absolutely obsessed with the programmes!"
Fans of the show, might be interested in the following links:
Cbeebies
Singing Hands
DVDs at Amazon
What are your thoughts? Do your children like him, and has the programme helped with their communication?
Comments
I'm an adult and even I love it!!
Posted by: Paul | April 9, 2009 06:58 AM
I Love Mr Tumble.
Posted by: Gimp Sunday | April 21, 2009 07:28 PM
This is a great programme, hope to see more on TV soon. My son loves the show and this has really helped him communicate, he also enjoys watching Mr tumble and tries to copy all the signs he does. Thank you Justin for playing such an important part in my child's education.
Posted by: Sally | April 23, 2009 06:14 PM
Mr Tumbles (Justin Fletcher) is just the best on TV. I look after my grandson and we both love the comunication with Mr Tumbles and both love signing with him. It's so good for my grandson to learn to sign at 2 yrs old. I have now purchased the dvd's so we can watch and learn when we want to!!! Thanks Justin, keep up the good work.
Posted by: KIM | July 21, 2010 06:11 PM
our son realy enjoys watching justin on the somthing special show hes learned so much from it and i think you have found an engenious way of making learning fun so i would like to say thankyou justin and keep up the good work you deserve an award for all the good work you have done and you have made such a possitive impact on so meny childrens and adults lives
Posted by: lee bennett | January 11, 2011 11:05 PM
Both myself and 16 month old Granddaughter love Mr Tumble, my favourite is Cliff Tumble - very funny! My Granddaughter touches her nose when Mr Tumble does his magic, she finishes Justin's sentence with "there" when he says "lets look over" and she waves and cheers. It's a wonderful programme for all children (and adults!) - well done Mr Justin Fletcher MBE.
Posted by: Sally | January 18, 2011 12:54 AM
Hey there just want to say my son is 21months of age he loves mr tumble, giggglebiz! He copies touch your nose he has been watching since he a baby! Any chance of him getting a signed picture? What you do for kids is amazing! Keep it up your the best!!!
Posted by: shaz | January 30, 2011 11:09 PM
hi me and my daughter think you do a great job keep it up luv ya
Posted by: justine | March 6, 2011 04:27 PM
my nephew nicky loves to watch you program nicky is down syndrome he 2 years old he was in hospital bk in january with swine flu and he woudnt bother with any of the doctors they never even heard him talking he been in there 3 days they put im in a diffrent room where there was a tv then your program came on cbbc he was shouting tumble tumble all the nurses was amazed by wat he was doing he was singing to them i want tumble tumble i think you a insparation to all kids with disabity and im pleased with wat u do as nicky as learned alot just by watching you on tv and i was woundering if you do send any letters off mr tumble i will be greatful if you could get bk to me thank and keep up the good work
Posted by: rhian thomas | April 2, 2011 07:43 AM
Justin fletcher comes across as a genuinely lovely guy and my 12 month old loves him, even my 10 and 12 year olds do whether he is himself or Mr tumble. Having worked with children and adults with learning difficulties most of my life, I think the use of makaton can only help kids of all abilities to integrate. We are goin to see Justin at harewood house , west yorkshire in may and am VERY excited and I'm 38! Keep it going Justin, you are a true star.
Posted by: sarah willows | April 6, 2011 10:33 PM
Just to say thank u Justin for lighting up my 21 month daughter face she loves your programs! X
Posted by: Natalie | May 15, 2011 02:39 AM
my grand daughter love the program and often ask us the sign for things we surprised her by painting her bedroom with big spots so she loves going to be . wish we could find a poster for hr wall . hope the show goes on a long time so the rest of my grand children can get to enjoy it . well done bbc
Posted by: frances lee | May 17, 2011 06:35 AM
i think this is a great programme.Its repetetive and children learn from repetition. Children also educated about children with special needs which is lovely.My daughter loves this programme very much.Signing helps to develop children,s language furthur also a very educational programme .
Posted by: Nicola Smith | June 10, 2011 01:25 AM