Top five party pursuits

Today’s under-5s in favour of traditional party fun such as musical chairs and pass the parcel

Forget professional entertainers and over-the-top goody bags, today’s under-5s in the North West are shunning expensive gimmicks in favour of traditional party fun such as musical chairs and pass the parcel.

I CAN, the children’s communication charity, today unveils the top five children’s party activities from a survey of 1500 UK parents of under-5s. It’s a list full of fun pursuits that build communication and social skills and encourage interaction with other kids:

1. Dancing games like Musical Chairs, Musical Statues and Musical Bumps
   
2. Party games like Pass the Parcel and Pin the Tail on the Donkey
   
3. Playing outdoors with other children
4. Eating party food
5. Singing and rhyming games like the Hokey Cokey and Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Yet nearly a quarter of parents (24%) may not realise that there is a serious side to the fun at parties and these can help enhance their child’s social skills. The research shows that, although children are invited to an average of six parties per year (which is one more than their parents), 26% of mums and dads feel parties have no impact on speaking and listening skills.

I CAN Communication Advisor; Kate Freeman said: “Children’s parties have become more sophisticated in recent years, with many parents spending lots of money on entertainment for children. Yet today’s research shows that, when it comes down to it, children still prefer the traditional games and party fun. The top five activities all involve communicating and socialising with their friends – from pass the parcel, which boosts turn-taking and listening skills to singing and rhyming games like the Hokey Cokey. This type of activity enhances children’s understanding of the structure and meaning of language – and there is no better environment for a child to develop their confidence than with a group of friends and adults in a relaxed and fun setting like a party”.

I CAN is inviting hundreds of thousands of children to sign up and take part in the annual fun and educational event for nurseries, pre-schools, childminding and community groups. Now in its 12th year, the 2013 Chatterbox Challenge: Mad Chatter’s Tea Party with Humf asks groups to organise sponsored tea parties where children can join in with popular songs and rhymes to develop their communication skills in a simple and enjoyable way. Thanks to the kind support of Openreach, funds raised through sponsorship will enable I CAN to help even more children who struggle to communicate.

Each Chatterbox Challenge: Mad Chatter’s Tea Party with Humf will raise valuable funds and awareness for I CAN’s work with some of the one million children in the UK who struggle with speech, language and communication, as friends and family will be encouraged to sponsor children for taking part and joining in. Groups can register now for their free fundraising pack at the Chatterbox Challenge website (www.chatterboxchallenge.org.uk).

Speech, language and communication are crucial for reading, learning in school, for socialising and making friends, and for understanding and expressing emotions or feelings. 1.2 million children in the UK have long-term difficulties with their speech, language and communication and will need extra support. The Chatterbox Challenge: Mad Chatter’s Tea Party with Humf encourages children to think about communication, whilst helping support those who find talking and understanding difficult.