‘Talking Table’ resulted from work carried out by Fleur Griffiths, a former Educational Psychologist, to improve speaking and listening skills in young children by modelling conversational principles with small groups of children.
How does it work?
An adult sits at a table and welcomes children to come and sit with her.
The table top can be covered in a variety of ways; paper, textured fabric, corrugated card or shiny paper. Pens, crayons or felt tips are placed on the table.
Various props can be put on the table that will interest and stimulate young children.
The adult can start off interaction by handling one of the props and drawing whilst talking.
We have had some fantastic outcomes from our ‘Talking Table’ with lots of imaginative storytelling, as well as exciting and interesting conversations about various objects/ events. Even children who are reluctant speakers have engaged in conversation during a 'taking table' activity.
