Town House Photography @ Learning SPACE!

Learning SPACE are delighted to announce a new partnership with Townhouse Studios!


Every Thursday from 3-7pm, renowned photographer Mariusz Smiejek will be in residence, available to photograph your little angels! As a special promotion, you will receive a FREE 5x7 photograph from the session, collectable the following week. And if you like what you see, Townhouse Studios are offering vouchers and offers towards a full session in their tailor made studio!


Just have a look at some of his work!

                                       

Mariusz Smiejek is an award-winning photographer with over 10 years of experience. In 2010 he won the 
International National Geographic competition with a picture of Belfast. He currently lives in Belfast, working
with his partner on a new book about contemporary life in Northern Ireland, to be published in his native Poland.


His previous work includes photographing in Germany, and working for prestigious photo studio "Double Take" in London.


Mariusz's Website

Speaking as a parent who has had their fingers burned in the past by overpriced, over-sold photographers, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of Marius' work, and the extremely reasonable pricing - I'm bringing my kids up to be snapped in half term! (Oh yes, Grandparents, that's what you're getting for Xmas!)

New Product of the Week! JUMPING CLAY

This blogger is bouncing with excitment, I can't wait to play with this stuff with my kids!

Jumping Clay is unique - jasmine scented, air drying, easy to mix colours and it BOUNCES! Just look at some of these fabulous creations:

And here you can see the Learning SPACE staff finding out all about the wonderful stuff! 

We are the FIRST shop in Northern Ireland to stock Jumping Clay. Everyone who has seen or touched it in the flesh has been captivated by it - it's truly amazing stuff!

These amazing Dinosaur Kits contain a skeleton plus clay to build an accurate 3D Dinosaur - for only £4.99!

My 8 year old daughter is just going to love this Accessory set, pretty hair clips, keyrings and jewellry for only  £6.99

We also have a Hand Print Kit, ideal for a baby keepsake, as well as a range of kits - Mini Gift Set and the ultimate Total Gift Set

Order yours now - ideal as a gift, stocking filler or just a fun rainy day activity.

Product of the Week - Swish Kids Plate

Swish Kids!

Swish Kids is a new, exciting and creative way to immortalise your child's works of genius.

All you need to do is buy the kit - your child creates a drawing or painting on the enclosed template. Send it away, and in 3 weeks you will receive your choice of plate, clock or tray. All the products are hard wearing plastic, the plate and tray are dishwasher safe. I have heard reviews from parents saying plates used every day for 6 months are still as good as new!

You could use the template to immortalise some tiny hand and footprints. You can add text, and even photos. 

It's an absolutely perfect gift for doting Grandparents, or even just to brighten up your own home!

We are running sessions in Learning SPACE - every SatARTday, Crafty Ciara is on hand to help out with creative ideas. Come on down and have a go at designing your own plate!

Swish Kids also offer a fundraising pack - contact us for more details! 

info@learningspaceni.co.uk 02890319360

New Product of the Week! TANGLE BALL

Tangle Ball

From the makers of the fab Tangle range of fiddle toys comes this chewy, ergonomic, squishy ball.


Suitable from birth - so absolutely fine for those of us with children who like to chew everything. Washable and sterilisable, bouncy and brightly coloured, these are a great addition to the toy box for any child. 


The range includes a high-contrast black and white version - perfect for young babies or for people with a visual impairment. 


Particularly suitable for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder or other Additional Needs that need sensory input! 

COMPETITION TIME! Face of Month at Learning SPACE!

We would love to see your photos of you and your kids in unusual or interesting places.  Each month there will be a new competition to find the most exciting, novel or imaginative photo emailed in. Aha, easy! But here's the tricky bit - you need to include a Learning SPACE leaflet in your photo.


Here's our October Face of the Month. It's a particularly cheeky one too! 


Rowan, aged 2.9

You'll notice he's wearing his Learning SPACE leaflet as a fetching hat! (OK, OK, this one's mine - he's not getting a prize!)

Prizes include a £5 voucher for Learning SPACE and the chance to appear on our website home page as the Face of the month at Learning SPACE!


To get your leaflet and enter the competition, call into the shop or place an online order. Email entries to info@learningspaceni.co.uk

New Product! - Oh Plah Chewy Wristband

Oh Plah Chewy Wristband

We've sourced this fabulous, award winning new product in response to several requests for functional, practical but also fashionable chewy jewellry.

Oh Plah

These fab bracelets will fit almost any wrist. If you are using them with a teething baby, then mum or dad can wear them. If it is for an older child, adolescent or adult with Sensory Processing issues, they can wear it themselves, as a subtle, practical way to protect clothes and other objects from chewing! 

The bracelets are practically indestructible, they can be bent, twisted, chewed and bitten to provide that sensory input that the child needs. 

Made of an anti-microbial thermoplastic, free from  BPA, phthalates, cadmium. lead and latex.  No small parts or paint on the product, making Oh Plah! completely safe to handle and chew.

Completely recyclable

Easily cleaned with soap and water, and dries quickly so that it can be worn again right away.

Size:  18cm long and 5.5cm at the widest part and 3cm at the thinnest part of the wristband.

Dr Toy Best Green Product Award.

Also in store, and perfect for anyone who needs oral sensory input, we have Chewy Tubes. These come in 3 varieties, all priced at £8.99. Extremely practical, long lasting, easy to clean and small enough to be subtle. They are also more age appropriate for older children than many regular teething toys. 

Green Knobby PQ 2-pack Red Chewy Tube

STOP PRESS!! NEW PRODUCT JUST IN!

Tangle Ball

A brand new fiddle/ chewy toy from the makers of the Tangle

More about this, and our many other fiddle/ sensory toys, next week!

Learning SPACE @ the NASEN Annual Conference!

Learning SPACE will be supporting this year's conference, on the 22nd October 2011, at Stranmillis University College, Belfast.

It's very exciting! 

The conference is aimed at parents and professionals working with young people who have been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. 

"A very knowledgeable group of speakers from various parts of the province will be sharing 

their knowledge and expertise of Autism Spectrum Disorders with us in a range of ASD 

specific seminar topics. Individual speakers will also consider what is already ‘good practice’ 

here in Northern Ireland, and as a part of the Conference programme, we also plan to share 

learning resource possibilities, presently available through the use of C2K in schools. "

NASEN Conference PDF link

At Learning SPACE we have a special interest in Autism. We have a catalogue of products specifically selected with people with ASD in mind  - click on the link for the Autism Catalogue

Our staff are knowledgeable and experienced, and able to support parents and professionals in the sourcing and use of our products. 

We will be attending with a range of exciting new things, including Sensory Direct weighted items and Sensory Room equipment, to show off the brilliant new range!  Learning Space is working with Fred Storey Ltd to  design and fit SpaceKraft Sensory Rooms.

Here are Lorraine, Owner of Learning SPACE, and Ciara, our Rep, trying out one of the new products that we'll be demonstrating! 

Here's what Lorraine had to say about the LED Musical Light Wall: 

I could have played with this all day! I was absolutely mesmerised. Simply by touching the screen, I could control the music, lights and movement. Amazing! 

See it in action in the video below! 

So, whether you are a student teachers,  an NQT,  an experienced teacher, 

 a  Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO), a classroom assistant,  

a professional working with young people with an ASD, or a parent - we're looking forward to seeing you there!