Today is World Book Day, a day to celebrate book and encourage people to get reading! Tom loves books and everyone around him loves reading to him. Recently through the power of Tom's GridPad from Smartbox (eye gaze), Tom has been able to read stories independently as well as reading them together with us. Tom has more control over what he wants to read now with the addition of his gridpad and he is loving reading stories at his own pace.
When thinking of your favourite books it is easy to think of huge names such as David Williams and Maz Evans, however Tom has discovered a new author/singer-songwriter who he adores! Al Start from Go Kid Music and her wonderful story 'Gorrid the Horrid'
Al Start from Go Kid Music writes her own songs for children who have out grown nursery rhymes but still a little too young for chart music. Al's music is great for kids and have shaped a lot of the way Tom learns new things. We are able to use her music to learn but new topics that we haven't yet covered. Al also teaches signs to go alongside her songs which is amazing for those children with additional needs.
Al has been streaming live shows on her Facebook page during the past year to entertain the children and encourage musical play. This is where Tom and I discovered her! Since then we have been joining in to every live show. Al even joined in on one of our Friday Fun sessions and she kindly gifted everyone who is shielding has a child with complex needs a membership to her GKM club. This has been invaluable, we have been accessing it every day, learning new signs and learning lots about new topics in a fun and musical way!
Over the past few months I have really come to notice how much music supports Tom's learning and it has become an integral part of Tom's home school curriculum. The Go Kid Music Club has really helped in supporting me as Tom's 'teacher' and encouraging Tom to interact with the learning for longer periods of time.
Now to the books! Al has a song called 'Gorrid the Horrid' and this is a very fun song about a witch who holds a party and makes the most disgusting food! Al has turned this into a story book with the help of illustrator Chloe Batchelor. This book is available to buy from the Go Kid Music website along with lots of other fun bit and pieces. Please check it out I know your little ones will love it!
https://gokidmusic.com/store CHECK OUT THE COOL MERCHANDISE HERE!
To celebrate world book day Tom has made his own disgusting feast just like Gorrid! We mixed up some 'LUMPY PORRIDGE' just like Gorrid does in the song/book. We then decided to mix in lots of gross things like gooey eyeballs, snakes (pipe cleaners) and even some popping candy!! This is a great sensory experience. Tom was able to have the soundtrack playing, we read the book together and then started the sensory play. This not only is a great activity but reading the story first gave Tom context to what he was doing. He found it all very funny and even decided to kick the lumpy porridge all over me!! Lots of smiles were had during this activity!
Tom really enjoys reading "Gorrid the Horrid' and we are very proud to say that is the book we are celebrating on World Book Day 2021.
We feel as though Al deserves to reach way more fans all across the world as her music is so great! If you have little ones (or even the grown ups) please check her out, although I must warn you her music will be stuck in your head all day!
Have an amazing World Book Day everybody!
Stay safe, Stay well.
Find Go Kid Music:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gokidmusic
Instagram: gokidmusic
Youtube: Alstarty09