GB2278706A

GB2278706A - Arrangement for and method of assisting narrative

Info

Publication number: GB2278706A
Application number: GB9311288A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roderick Alexander Maclennan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-01
Filing date: 1993-06-01
Publication date: 1994-12-07
Also published as: GB9311288D0

Abstract

The arrangement is for assisting children to narrate their experiences while being video-recorded and comprises a box comprising a lid (11), having a surface (13) covered with fabric, and a bottom section (12) containing loose pieces of material (31, 32), some of which depict human figures and some of which depict articles or geometric shapes, the pieces (31, 32) being of a material such as felt which is releasably attachable to the fabric on surface (13). The human figures (31) are made of relatively rigid foam having major surfaces covered with fabric which can be attached to surface (13) and to which pieces (32) can be attached. Some human figures (31) may have articulated limbs. <IMAGE>

Description

Arrangement for and Method of Assisting Narrative The present invention relates to an arrangement for and method of assisting narrative and more particularly to assisting children in relating a narrative. It is of especial application to assisting children who have been subjected to abuse to relate their experiences without distress.

There is already known as a toy an arrangement in which pieces of coloured material, which may carry pictures with a common theme, are attached in a readily releasable manner to a plain background. The background is of a fabric comprising many small hookor loop-shaped members and the loose pieces are of felt material.

The present invention seeks to provide an arrangement which is especially adapted for assisting narrative.

In addition it seeks to provide an arrangement which can be used without distress for a child and which is neutral in that it does not suggest particular lines of narrative. Because of legal requirements to video-tape interviews, the invention also seeks to provide an arrangement and a method which lend themselves to producing a clear video-recording. Previous attempts employing line drawings on paper have not produced clear video images.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a box containing a plurality of loose pieces of material, the box having a top section and a bottom section, the top section having a major surface which has a covering to which said pieces of material may be releasably attached and the bottom section defining a tray member for holding the pieces of material when the box is opened.

The covering is preferably on the internal major surface of the top section and the covering preferably comprises many small hook- or loop-shaped members. The loose pieces of material are preferably of first and second sorts. Those of the first sort define the outline of different human figures and have opposed flat surfaces which can be attached to the covering of the top section and to which the other pieces of loose material can be attached. Those of the second sort are pieces of felt material of various geometrical shapes and of plain colour.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a background member and loose pieces of material which may be releasably attached to the background member, at least some of the pieces of material defining the outline of different human figures and having opposed flat surface, both having a covering which may be attached to the background member.

The surfaces of the background member and the pieces of material may both comprise the fabric with many small hook- or loop-shaped members. The pieces of material preferably comprise a layer of rigid foam material with a respective layer of fabric adhered to each surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a background member and loose pieces of material which may be releasably attached to the background member, at least some of the pieces of material defining the outline of different human figures which have articulations between the trunk and limbs to simulate human movement.

Preferred embodiments combine features according to two or more of the above aspects.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assisting narrative employing an arrangement according to one or more of the first, second and third aspects.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. l shows a partially opened box of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of Fig. 1 in use.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a box 10 comprising a lid or top section 11 pivotally attached to a bottom section 12.

The interior major surface 13 of the lid 11 is covered with a fabric to which felt material can be releasably attached, e.g. a fabric having many small hook- or loop-shaped members. Because of the need to videorecord use of the arrangement, the surface 13 needs to be of a suitable colour, e.g. turquoise or light blue, and of a suitable size, e.g. approximately 50 cm x 75 cm or slightly less than the external dimensions of the box.

The pivots 14 between the sections 11 and 12 are of a type which, after the box has been opened, permit the sections to be separated as shown in Fig. 2. In use section 11 rests against a suitable vertical surface and the bottom section, which forms a tray for loose pieces of material 31, 32, is placed before the user of the arrangement.

The loose pieces of material are flat and are of the two types. A first type 31 depicts different human figures, both adults and children. The figures 31 are made of a layer of relatively rigid but light foam material with its main surfaces covered with fabric which can be attached to surface 13 and to which pieces of felt material can be attached. The thickness of the foam layer is between 0.5 and 1.0 cm, preferably 0.8 cm. To add realism at least some of the figures have jointed limbs to enable movement to be simulated.

The second type 32 of pieces of material are of plain felt with a range of shapes and colours which are substantially geometric, although some may represent items of furniture etc.

By way of example only, use of the arrangement will be described in obtaining evidence from a child in a case of alleged abuse. The arrangement is set up as shown in Fig. 2. At first it is used as a toy or game in order to overcome tension and shyness. When the child has relaxed, the conversation can then be directed towards the incidents of relevance to the interview.

Figures 31 representing the characters concerned can be attached to the surface 13 and moved about as desired.

Pieces of material 32 can be attached to the surface 13 to represent furniture etc. and to the figures 31 to represent clothing. Different pieces of felt may be superimposed to represent different layers of clothing.

Since the pieces of felt are of plain appearance they cannot be said to lead the child in any way.

The above arrangement has a number of advantages. It has all the features of a toy so that a child becomes accustomed to it very quickly. In fact it can be used as a toy if required. The physical characteristics of the arrangement in terms of colour and size make it suitable for video-recording and the procedure is simple to execute and understand. The various pieces and especially the human figures are robust and can withstand fairly rough handling.

Various modifications can be made to the abovedescribed arrangement and method. For example the box may have any type of hinge arrangement whether separable or not. Alternatively the hinge may be omitted and the box sections may simply fit together, e.g. by means of a snap connection. Where the sections are separable, a stand member may be provided to support the lid in use.

The arrangement may have applications in connection with matters other than abuse cases, for example interviews concerning an accident or other incident.

Suitable modifications can be made to the pieces 31 and 32; for example they can represent vehicles, buildings, trees, etc.

The arrangement may also have therapeutic uses, for example to stimulate a topic of conversation in speech therapy.

Claims

1. An arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a box containing a plurality of loose pieces of material, the box having a top section and a bottom section, the top section having a major surface which has a covering to which said pieces of material may be releasably attached and the bottom section defining a tray member for holding the pieces of material when the box is opened.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the covering is on the internal major surface of the top section.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the covering comprises a plurality of hook- and/or loop-shaped members.

4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein some of said loose pieces of material define the outline of different human figures and have opposed flat surfaces which can be attached to the covering of the top section and to which the other pieces of loose material can be attached.

5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said other loose pieces of material are of felt material of various geometrical shapes and of plain colour.

6. An arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a background member and loose pieces of material which may be releasably attached to the background member1 at least some of the pieces of material defining the outline of different human figures and having opposed flat surfaces, both having a covering which may be attached to the background member.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the surfaces of the background member and the pieces of material both comprise fabric with a plurality of hookand/or loop-shaped members.

8. An arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pieces of material comprise a layer of rigid foam material with a respective layer of fabric adhered to each surface.

9. An arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a background member and loose pieces of material which may be releasably attached to the background member, at least some of the pieces of material defining the outline of different human figures which have articulations between the trunk and limbs to simulate human movement.

10. An arrangement for assisting narrative substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of assisting narrative employing an arrangment according to one or more of the above claims.

12. A method for assisting narrative substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a box containing a plurality of loose pieces of material, the box having a top section and a bottom section, the top section having a major surface which has a covering to which said pieces of material may be releasably attached and the bottom section defining a tray member for holding the pieces of material when the box is opened, wherein some of said loose pieces of material define the outline of different human figures and have opposed flat surfaces which can be attached to the covering of the top section and to which the other pieces of loose material can be attached.

4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein said other loose pieces of material are of felt material of various geometrical shapes and of plain colour.

5. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the pieces of material defining human figures each comprise a layer of rigid foam material with its main surfaces covered with fabric.

6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the pieces of material defining human figures have articulations between the trunk and limbs.

7. An arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a background member and loose pieces of material which may be releasably attached to the background member, at least some of the pieces of material defining the outline of different human figures and having opposed flat surfaces, both having a covering which may be attached to the background member.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the surfaces of the background member and the pieces of material both comprise fabric with a plurality of hookand/or loop-shaped members.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pieces of material comprise a layer of rigid foam material with a respective layer of fabric adhered to each surface.

10. An arrangement for assisting narrative comprising a background member and loose pieces of material which may be releasably attached to the background member, at least some of the pieces of material defining the outline of different human figures having articulations between the trunk and limbs to simulate human movement.

11. An arrangement for assisting narrative substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of assisting narrative employing an arrangment according to one or more of the above claims.

13. A method for assisting narrative substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.