The Prospekt Metalurhiv metrotram station in Kryvyi Rih has been transformed into a space dedicated to children’s speech development as part of the “Watch Me Grow!” campaign, an initiative of the KRYTSIA: Support for Recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project. At the metrotram station, children and their parents can try speech development games, get practical tips on supporting their child’s development, and meet Talalam, the campaign’s main character. The name is no coincidence: “Ta-la-lam” is one of the ways a young child might call a metrotram while learning to speak.
According to reports from two inclusive resource centers in Kryvyi Rih, speech difficulties are the most common among preschool-aged children registered with the centers: 931 children aged 0 to 5 have such difficulties. Common misconceptions that a child will “grow out of it” or “start talking on their own” can prevent parents from recognising potential developmental delays. Speech difficulties are easier to identify through simple exercises and address at an early age — particularly before the age of three — than later in childhood.
To draw parents’ attention to the issue, the “Watch Me Grow!” team transformed the Prospekt Metalurhiv metrotram station into Talalam, a space dedicated to children’s speech development. The space features speech development exercises on stickers throughout the station, as well as an interactive tram-shaped information stand.
The campaign website offers free exercises for every day of the week, organised by age, along with practical tips for parents. All materials are available at https://childguide.com.ua/talalam.
“The first years of life are an important period for a child’s speech development. But parents do not need to wait for their child’s first words to start supporting this process. Everyday conversations, games, songs and reading together already help children learn to listen, understand and communicate. That is why we created simple exercises that are easy to incorporate into everyday activities with a young child,” says Aliona Korol, author of the guide and Lead Expert on Children with Special Needs at the KRYTSIA: Support for Recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project.
The “Watch Me Grow!” campaign is an initiative for parents of children up to seven years old. It helps parents recognise potential developmental difficulties at an early stage and seek professional support when needed.
The campaign is implemented as part of the KRYTSIA: Support for Recovery of Kryvyi Rih Raion project, funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented by LuxDev – the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, in partnership with Proman and NDI.
ISD Group supported the development and implementation of the “Watch Me Grow!” campaign concept.
