About Speech Bubbles
Using drama, play and stories to help children aged 5-7 develop confidence, communication and creativity
Speech Bubbles is a weekly drama programme taking place in school time, designed to give young children an opportunity to have fun telling stories and acting them out. The programme has a particular emphasis on supporting children to gain confidence and develop their physical and verbal communication skills.
Click to watch: Speech Bubbles in action
Why do we need it?
Anywhere between 3 and 15 children in every KS1 class will have a communication need that is affecting their learning, their enjoyment of school and their socialisation.
Many of those children would significantly benefit from taking part in Speech Bubbles.
Who is it for?
Speech Bubbles is for children aged 5-7 who find it difficult to develop the speech, language and communication skills they need for life: for socialising, for learning, for well-being and good mental health.
Children are referred to the programme by their class teacher or SENDCo.
How is it delivered?
In Speech Bubbles, referred children take part in a weekly small group drama session delivered by a specialist drama practitioner and a member of the school’s support staff.
The sessions are designed to work with children's natural instincts to play, to tell stories and to have fun.
What is the outcome/impact?
Measuring the outcome and monitoring our impact is a critical part of Speech Bubbles. We’ve highlighted some key findings below, but you can also check our Research, Reports & Writing for further info.
Teachers report that 89% of children show improvements back in the classroom in their learning, speaking and listening.
Source: 22/23 Teacher Report
Children show improved: confidence, participation, listening, enjoyment, relationships, motivation, speaking skills, language skills and ability to speak out
Source: Canterbury Christ Church University
Speech Bubbles…
‘has a statistically significant, sustained impact on children’s spoken language, storytelling and social interaction capabilities.’
Source: University of East London
Our Partner Network
The Speech Bubbles programme is delivered by our partner network of arts and theatre companies working in schools local to them. The programme is delivered in schools by a wonderful team of freelance drama practitioners, all of whom have specific training in children’s communication development.
Our History
Click to watch Adam collecting the 2019 Pearsons 'Shine a light' award for innovation for London Bubble
Speech Bubbles is led by Adam Annand who has nurtured this programme since 2008, building it from an Arts Council England funded research and development project in a small number of schools to the current national partnership programme. Speech Bubbles was originated by London Bubble in 2009 to building on a long term engagement with the story-drama practice of Vivian Gussin Paley and the success of the 2006-2009 ‘Speak Out’ research project. In September 2021 after 12 years of development, critical acclaim and steady growth, Speech Bubbles became an independent charity ready to reach many more children with communication needs across the country.
We love to stay connected and are members of: National Drama, Action for Children’s Arts, Participatory Arts London and London Youth.
All of our training is CPD certified, and Speech Bubbles is Artsmark accredited.
