Pupils at a school in Co Tipperary have designed a toy to encourage children to read aloud as part of their entry to the Junior Entrepreneur Programme.
Sixth class pupils at Lissenhall National School near Nenagh, have been learning about teamwork, creativity, marketing, and how to bring a business idea to life.
As part of the programme, they created a company called 'Little Listeners'.
"Our class has entered Little Listeners which is a reading buddy we use to help with reading," said 12-year-old Muiris O'Donohue, "because sometimes you might not feel comfortable reading out loud to other people but your Little Listener isn't going to judge you and just wants to hear your story".
Priya King, 13, said that the cuddly toy will help children with their anxiety because they can squish it and read out loud to it.
Each toy is handmade by the class using upcycled materials where possible, making them sustainable and unique.
The idea is that children can hold and read to their sensory toy, helping them feel more comfortable and supported as they practise reading.
"We get a sock and we fill it with lentils or rice," said Leannán Ryan Devlin, "then we tie an elastic band on it and put some eyes on it, and then it's a Little Listener."
Teacher Ciara Grace said the class has worked closely with the local library and a sensory toy company to combine the importance of reading with the benefits of sensory play.
As part of the project, the class hosted an "Adoption Day", where members of the school community chose their Little Listener and selected the filling based on their own sensory preferences.
The pupils already has 150 orders for the cuddly toy.
