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