Something Special! (Something Special)

Member Name: sttb1997

Product:	Something Special
Date:	05/11/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic presenter, simple language - perfect for children

Disadvantages: None that I know of

Something Special is a programme on Cbeebies, a channel aimed at pre-school children.

The present of the show, Justin Fletcher, is a big, bright and bubbly character who seems to be on the right wavelength to attract children of all ages. He is in a variety of shows on Cbeebies and my children are addicted to them all.

Something Special involves Justin, his alter ego Mr Tumble, Grandad Tumble and his various teddies and dolls who are all involved in teaching children sign language. Each episode uses a different scenario to teach the children basic sign language words such as shopping words, words to do with babies, parties, the weather, theme parks - everything a child would come into contact with in everyday life. There is also a catchy welcome song, and a song played at the end of the episode which teaches hello and goodbye signs. My son can now sign these without thinking about them. I also find he talks with his hands a lot without realising, just from watching this fantastic programme.

The episodes are just long enough to keep the attention of a 1, 2 or 3 year old child and there is just enough information in them that they absorb it without overload.

During each episode Justin also have child guests that he guides through the various scenarios and each of these children has a disability of some sort. I find this fantastic as it teaches children that we are not all the same and there are ways of communicating to everybody, whatever their disability.

I am very keen to buy the DVD of this series as I believe it is a fantastic learning tool and the best thing is that children aren't even aware they are learning! My son didn't realise he was talking with his hands until I told him!

Summary: A great teaching tool that is fun