Back To School!

Is that a collective sigh of relief I hear? Those are some long holidays!

So, shiny new shoes, spanky new uniforms, pencil cases and school bags at the ready, our army of little cherubs prepare to march off into the new year of learning.

Lots of parents come into the shop interested in supporting their children's school learning with home activities. We have a wide variety of products across the curriculum to support and develop your child's education.

Here's a closer look at just a few of them.

Flashcards can be a useful tool for both literacy and numeracy. In the above picture you can see the lovely Anna, aged 3, helping me to play with the Usborne ABC cards. The pictures are bright and engaging, with lots to talk about on each (including that pesky duck who hides and must be found!)

For slightly younger kids, these flashcards are chunky and bright, and can help children with the earliest stages of literacy.

And once they're at big school, reaching the heady heights of P1, phonic cards are a great fun way to practice and learn all the phonic sounds your child needs.

Of course, it's not just the kids heading back - the teachers are heading back too!

I particularly like the new planner we have in stock - ideal size with a nice clear layout. We also have a wide range of teachers' aids, from reward charts to stampers.

Our display posters and accessories are also worth a look to brighten up your classroom! Display products. The posters are extremely good value for money, and we have a wide range - plenty of choice, including multi-cultural, across the curriculum.

Happy September, everybody, have a great year!

I am very excited - Sign2Music Taster Sessions in Learning SPACE!!

Learning SPACE are delighted to announce that Sign2Music will be offering taster sessions in store every Wednesday at 10am from the 7th September 2011. Book your spot today!! 


Sign2Music was founded by local mum Deirdre McLaughlin. Here's what she says about Sign2Music:


"Sing with us, have fun with us with music, puppets and play. Sandy's ready to sign with you, so come along today! Join us on a fun-filled signing journey, supporting your child's development and communication skills while bonding together.......

Sign2Music is Northern Ireland's own baby signing company. I developed Sign2Music after experiencing the joys of 'baby signing' first hand with my youngest daughter Cara and realising most of Northern Ireland were unaware of the huge benefits signing can bring to ALL children."

You can follow Deirdre's blog at sign2music


I have used signing with all my own kids from a very early age (still remember the pride when Precious First Born produced her first sign at about 8 months - "MORE!") and I firmly believe in the benefits of enabling children's communication in this way. 


Sign2Music presents the signs in a fun, informal way. My 2.5 year old son and I attended a summer session in the Newcastle Centre a couple of weeks ago, which both of us really enjoyed. Puppets, bubbles, percussion instruments and songs old and new all combined to make a really enriching experience, enjoyed by small babies right through to the big brothers and sisters that were there. 


Learning SPACE and Sign2Music will be working together from 7th September to provide short taster sessions - these are free, and fill up fast, so be sure to book your place now!


Check out our Facebook and Twitter feeds for more updates.

New in - Dinosaur Island!

I am in love with this! Dinosaur Island

Dinosaurs have been an endless source of fascination in this house - (did you know that the heaviest dinosaur weighed as much as 17 African elephants? DID YOU MUMMY? DID YOU????). As well as imaginative play, exploring and learning about dinosaurs helps children to learn all about the world around us, science, history, geography and even numeracy and literacy -all those facts and figures and incomprehensible Latin names (incomprehensible to those of us not currently 6 years old, anyway!)

This Dinosaur Island has a chunky, easy to put together wooden construction, and comes complete with 6 realistic dinosaur friends. Suitable for boys and girls from the age of 3 and up, it is a lovely base for play. A perfect birthday or Christmas gift (oh yes, I said the C word - come on people, it's nearly September!)

If your children love dinosaurs as much as mine do, then you need links, oh yes you do  - have a look at this fab resource The Dinosaur Museum

Or for an interactive game to help you learn innumerable facts and figures with a fun interactive interface, have a look here Kidsdinos

Also in stock at Learning SPACE we have Dino puzzles, 3d models, excavating projects, and Discount Product of the Week, a brilliant card/ memory game full of facts and figures about the terrible lizards!

Check back to the blog soon for exciting news about Learning SPACE and Sign2Music's new collaborative project.

New Catalogue Launch - Dyslexia

Imagine, if you will, that you have a task to complete. You must write out a list that you were told to memorise. You must do this in a noisy environment, with the wrong hand, while a large, loud person gives you additional instructions.You must also do it while wearing the wrong glasses, so the words are blurry and unclear. 

You are imagining in some small way how it might feel to have Dyslexia, and study in the average classroom.

Diagnoses of dyslexia are on the increase - the Open University reports a 169% increase in the number of students with the condition in the last ten years. Some statistics estimate as many as 8% of the population are working and studying with dyslexia. It affects people from all ethnic groups and of all abilities - it most certainly does not mean a child is "lazy," or "stupid," or any of the other pejorative labels that may have been attached! 

Have a look here for some examples of how text looks to people with Dyslexia. 

Diagnosis and support for Dyslexia has moved forward rapidly over the last few years. There is now a huge amount of equipment available to support learning.

Here at Learning SPACE, we have selected products specifically designed to support children with Dyslexia and collected them into our new catalogue. 

Here's a couple of links to some of the exciting new products we have available.

Nessy is a piece of software developed by experts in Dyslexia, suitable for children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 - it's attractive, motivating and exciting for children, while improving confidence in their own ability.

Yoropen is a super comfortable, ergonomic pen that encourages the correct grip, which helps with handwriting skills. 

Coloured overlays have been shown to reduce visual stress and increase reading speed - here is some research that has been carried out. 

The entire Dyslexia catalogue is available by calling into our shop, in our  online store, emailing, phoning or contacting us on Facebook. 

Learning SPACE launch new product range for children with Autism.

Learning SPACE are excited to announce the launch of our new catalogue, full to bursting with products specifically selected for children and young adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. 

Learning SPACE is a vibrant, exciting independent toy shop right in the heart of Belfast. Founded and staffed by teachers and childcare workers, Learning Space specialises in educational resources, providing an exciting range of toys, games, books - in fact any product that captivates, inspires and educates children! 

All children learn in different ways, and at their own speed. Children with additional needs can require more support and specifically tailored equipment and products.  This is not always easy to source - in fact, one of the reasons Learning SPACE came into being was the owner’s frustration at being unable to find the products that were needed. 

Our new product range is specifically designed for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. It offers solutions for many of the challenges facing children with an ASD and their families. The catalogue covers sensory toys and equipment - from light shows to weighted blankets - toys and games, timers and incentive charts and much more. Everything in one place, so no need to spend hours scouring websites; at competitive prices, and of the highest quality.

Have a look - Autism

Our well trained and experienced staff can help you with any queries you might have - come down and have a chat! 

See our Autism Catalogue , call into the shop, phone or email,  “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter! 

What on EARTH happened to summer?

I mean, I know it's Northern Ireland, and jumpers are generally a good idea, but for goodness' sake the weather fairies are playing us up this month!


If you've got kids (and if you are reading this, you probably have. Or you know someone who does. Or wish you didn't :p) then you will know that Rain Is Not A Parent's Friend. Oh no. There is, after all, a finite amount of time one would prefer one's cherubs to spend goggling at the electronic babysitter, sorry, TV, even if it is "educational!"


So I thought this week I might give you some lovely, friendly ideas for Things To Do When The Weather is Evil. Some of them aren't even messy!


First of all, at least it isn't freezing cold. (well, comparatively. Compared to, say, Antarctica)  The goblins and I have had some lovely rainy walks on the beach, where the sea creatures are still nice and amenable to being poked at. And the storms have thrown up some fantastic sea junk - never go home empty handed. (NOT for want of trying!) All you need are waterproofs and wellies, and a healthy disregard for the state of your hair and mascara, and away you go!


As for indoor activities, well, there is plenty to be done. How about a sheet of lining paper masking taped to the floor (disclaimer: NOT your best cream shag pile, best attempted with hard floors!) Fill a couple of baking trays with paint, let the children get bare footed and handed and create a wonderful work of art.


Other messy play ideas - instead of playdoh, why not try mashed sweet potato? Or other unusual tastes - especially for younger toddlers and babies, not only is it a fun developmental experience, it is completely edible.


How about a glow-in-the-dark sensory experience - pull the curtains against the torrential rain, or build a den with chairs and blankets, scatter some glow stars and planets around. Wee glow spinning tops, fibreoptic lights, even a glow in the dark jigsaw puzzle! Lots of light and sound products here


When it comes to creating masterpieces, you need lots of wonderful materials - feathers, sequins, foam, stickers, glitter, pom poms and the like. Oh, and lots and lots of sticky glue. Given enough variety, your wee people will amuse themselves (with minimal mess, promise :p) for ages! Have a look here


OK, all my ideas are messy, I admit it, that's all I really like to do :p


Anyone care to share their indoor ideas?

Product Review- Fun To Write

Age: 3-6 yrs

Why I love it: 

Children can learn and practice the correct formation of letters and numbers with this colourful set of practice cards. The best thing is it’s reusable, so children can try again and again until practice really does make perfect!

Reviewer details: Pam Bannister, Teacher, Learning SPACE team