A series of ‘Walk & Talk’ events are taking place across Cornwall over the summer holidays aimed at encouraging children and families to connect.
Organised by Healthy Cornwall, Active Cornwall and the Cornwall Ramblers, they start at a local library or Family Hub and are led by a trained guide.
Each family will receive a set of Walk & Talk Trail cards, created by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Better Health Start for Life.
These cards are designed to maximise opportunities for families to bring communication into their day-to-day adventures.
Packed with tips and tricks to help little ones develop their speech, language and communication skills, they include:
- Information about why it’s important to chat with your baby or child, even before they’ve started talking.
- Guidance and suggestions of things to do and talk about while out and about.
- Talking tips to enhance the conversations and interactions parents and carers have with their children aged 0-5 while out and about.
The trail cards can also be downloaded on the National Literary Trust’s parents-facing website for use anytime, anywhere.
Walk & Talk events are made simple with a starting point and time, so all you have to do is turn up.
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for children and families, said:
“The ‘Walk & Talk’ events are a great way to get out and about as a family, meet new people and get the conversation flowing!
“For younger children it is especially important to have lots of opportunities to engage with their mums, dads, brothers and sisters to support the development of their language skills.
“Using the fabulous cards from the National Literary Trust and being in the great outdoors creates lots of natural opportunities to learn new words and improve communication. So why not check the list of upcoming walks and give it a go?”
Jo Knuckey, Manager for the National Literacy Trust in Cornwall, said:
“It’s fantastic to be joining forces to bring the tips in our Walk and Talk cards to life through these family walks across Cornwall.
“We believe that day-to-day activities can provide opportunities for families to boost their children’s early language and communication skills.
“By tuning in to, and chatting about the things children notice on these walks, families can help them to learn new words and develop literacy skills for life.”
Here is a list of upcoming walks and starting point venues:
- Wednesday 14 August 10-11am - Wadebridge Family Hub
- Wednesday 14 August 2-3pm - Camborne Family Hub
- Thursday 15 August 9.30–11.30am - Hayle Family Hub
- Monday 19 August 10-11am - Bodmin Family Hub
- Wednesday 21 August 11.30am-1pm - Penzance Family Hub
- Thursday 22 August 1pm-2pm - The Park, Falmouth
- Thursday 22 August 9.30-11.30am - Hayle Family Hub
- Wednesday 28 August 11.30am-1pm - Penzance Family Hub
- Thursday 29 August 11.30am-12.30pm – Liskeard Library
- Thursday 29 August 10-11am – St Austell Library
- Thursday 29 August 9.30-11.30am - Hayle Family Hub
For more information, check out the Active Cornwall website.
Press release issued on August 13, 2024.