* Chatterbox Challenge 2012. *

This year’s Chatterbox Challenge is running from 1st to 7th February, the event is all set to be an extra special and action-packed affair.

With summer 2012 just around the corner, this year’s theme is Kids in Motion, which means lots of movement, lots of chatter and above all bucket loads of fun!

On the day, children will boost their language skills with exciting songs with movements, which are all specially designed by I CAN speech and language therapists and specialist teachers. These action-based songs and activities are great because even very young children who don’t know the words can join in.
Read more here.

* Capture the Parents - Presented by Livestock. *

A photo competition with a difference...
...this time kids take the pics!

Children are often the subject of photographs. Here the tables are turned and kids between the ages of 4-7 get to take photos of their parents or carers. The pictures might be posed, or more likely, seized at inopportune moments.

The 20 best pictures will be exhibited at The Dome Theatre in April 2012, launching the Children’s Festival.  A panel of judges, including Zoe Ball, Lord Bassam, Guy Lloyd (Juice Radio) Helen Cammock (Photofringe) and Gordon McDonald (Photoworks) will select pictures that best show aspects of parents’ characters, dispositions or busy lives. Read more here.

* Julia Donaldson is Children's Laureate *

Many congratulations to Julia Donaldson on becoming the ninth Children's Laureate!

Julia has written over 120 books and plays, including children’s picture books including Room on the Broom and Stick Man and the hugely popular The Gruffalo. She was presented with the award by Baroness Floella Benjamin, chair of the Children’s Laureate 2011-2013.

Julia takes over as the new children’s laureate from illustrator Anthony Browne for her two-year term.

Read more here.

* abracaDABra Supports 'Hello!' 2011 *

Did you know that in the UK today over 1 million children and young people have some form of speech, language and communication need? This is at least 2 or 3 children in every classroom - and that’s the children we know about.

In areas of poverty, over 50% of children start school with delayed language skills. This puts them at a huge disadvantage to their peers as they struggle to learn and make friends.

Language delay hinders entry into school, social life and future employment. Those suffering become withdrawn, fall behind in lessons and are even bullied.
Read more here.

* On Angel Wings *

A unique Christmas concert in support of Farms for City Children. Saturday 18th December 2010, 6-7pm, Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge.

A re-telling of the nativity by Michael Morpurgo, Prunella Scales and Timothy West with Carols sung by Coope Boyes and Simpson, Fi Fraser, Jo Freya and Georgina Boyes.

This magical, one-off concert will be based around Michael Morpurgo’s book On Angel Wings, illustratred by Quentin Blake, which tells the Christmas story through the eyes of a young shepherd boy. Proceeds will go to Farms for City Children, the charity founded thirty years ago by Michael and Clare Morpurgo. Read more here.

* Children's Book Week! *

The theme for this year's Children's Book Week is Books from Around the World.

There are loads of activities schools can take part in during Children's Book Week. You may be holding a Readathon or reading and writing poetry. You may also be linking with activities at your local library or bookseller.

Whatever you’re doing to celebrate books, stories and the wonderful world of reading, have great week and Abby and Dabby would love to hear about it.

Read more here.

* Stammering Help and Advice *

The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children is running a Stammering Information Programme whose aim is to raise awareness within the education system in England of the impact of stammering on the lives of young people. This 2-year project is Government funded and will be completed in December 2010. If you’re a parent with concerns about your child’s speech, or a school teacher and a child in class has a stammer, what should you do if:

1. They get stuck when trying to speak at home or in class?
2. They seem anxious about reading aloud or answering the register?
3. Other children ask why their stammering friend/
classmate `talks funny`? Read more here.