As a grandmother of a toddler, I am always keen to explore new ideas to make learning fun, so my attention was captured by Mrs Wordsmith.

This is a series of reading aids for 2-5 year olds, based on research into learning and vocabulary retention. Subscribers receive a monthly pack containing a picture book, a word-of-the day workbook and a pack of word cards.  There is also a word-of-the-day display stand so that the child is able to see it and learn it throughout the day.

The books and cards are beautifully illustrated with amusing pictures to help the child learn. Mrs Wordsmith uses word-pairing – a proven system which links similar words. It focuses on different types of words every month, selecting words most commonly used in everyday speech.

The aids help children navigate the nuanced range of feelings they experience, giving them the words to tell the difference between upset and frustrated, and they help them to be aware of their needs, with words like hungry and sleepy.

There is also a separate pack available for older children (7-11 year olds) called Gargantuan.

If you want to try before you buy, you can download a free sample from the website. I’ve tried it with my grandson, and it is a lot of fun for both of us.

https://www.mrswordsmith.com/products

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co,uk