REVIEW: Something Special and Friends DVD
“Mr Tumble, Mr Tumble. Lift your hand just like so… move it around and say Hello!”
BAFTA winning darling of Cbeebies, Justin Fletcher is back with this brand new DVD Something Special and Friends.
Something Special is a twenty minute programme for children aged between four and seven years of age who face communication difficulties. But, the universal appeal of lovely, yet clumsy clown Mr Tumble, and the appreciation of the benefits Makaton can have in the early years, has seen the programme face a meteoric rise in popularity with nursery and reception age children.
The cleverly produced format sees Mr Tumble AKA Justin Fletcher and a small group of children with additional needs explore the world around them. Each programme features three main concepts based on a theme. This new DVD release includes a Christmas Special, Big Animals, Music, Cooking, Routines, Birthday Party, Shopping and Cafe.
Though it is always advisable to seek professional Makaton training, following Something Special with your young child is a fantastic way to start enjoying the benefits the communication system offers. The programme makers work with a supervisor from the Makaton charity for accuracy.
Makaton differs from British Sign Language (BSL) in that it is a communication system using signs and symbols rather than a full language. Makaton is based on BSL. But, there are slight variations and even regional variations in the same way different places have different accents. It is also essential to use the spoken word with Makaton.
In this series, Mr Tumble is joined by family members Lord Tumble, Grandad Tumble and Aunt Polly.
Justin Fletcher and the team producing the show really are something special themselves. This DVD is an absolute must for all families with children under the age of five, or those with additional communication needs under the age of eight.
Something Special: Mr Tumble and Friends
BBC DVD
17 October 2010
£13.27