Mini-Talks

Playful communication practice for children with selective mutism

Mini-Talks supports children with selective mutism through communication practice using LEGO® minifigures and miniature everyday settings. Families and educators can use playful restaurant, market, and classroom scenes to create opportunities for small conversations at each child’s pace. The project also shares resources to promote understanding of communication differences.

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated October 2026

Web presence

2024

Established

110 2026

3

Countries

Community

Target group

I hope to see learning environments where different ways of communicating are understood and respected, and where children with selective mutism can participate without being defined by how much they speak. Through Mini-Talks, I want playful, accessible resources to help families and educators create opportunities for communication at each child’s pace. My wider goal is to combine inclusive design, technology, and hands-on play so that more children can feel understood and included.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that can prevent a person from speaking in particular social settings, even when they can speak comfortably in others. It is not a choice to stay silent. The NHS estimates that it affects approximately 1 in 140 young children.

I created Mini-Talks to raise awareness of selective mutism and explore playful, inclusive opportunities for communication practice. Familiar LEGO® scenes offer starting points for small conversations that respect each child’s comfort and pace. My interest in communication differences also informs my work on Stanford NNEA’s Core Committee.

Source: NHS — Selective mutism

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Mini-Talks uses LEGO® minifigures and miniature everyday settings, such as a restaurant, market, or classroom, as starting points for communication practice. Children can explore familiar situations through play, with activities adapted to their comfort and interests. The project website shares information and resources for families and people interested in selective mutism. Mini-Talks is an educational and awareness project; it does not replace individual professional support.

How has it been spreading?

As of October 2026, Mini-Talks has directly reached 110 people across Türkiye, the United States, and the United Kingdom. This cumulative community total includes children, family members, volunteers, and specialists. The project has no fixed age limit. I presented Mini-Talks through a poster at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit and at the Inclusive Coding Festival, where it earned second place and the Inclusive Design Award. I founded Brick-Up, a social startup, to help fund my inclusive technology projects.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Visit mini-talks.org to explore Mini-Library, Studio & App, Mini-Kits, and Mini-Community. Choose a familiar scene and a comfortable communication level: Sound, Word, Sentence, or Dialogue. Families, volunteers, and specialists can explore the participation options that match their role.

For collaboration, contact me through alpozpamir.com.

Watch Brick-Up x HundrED — LEGO Stop Motion for Social Impact, a short introduction to the social impact work behind these projects.

Media

Video

Brick-up x HundrED | LEGO Stop Motion for Social Impac

Brick-Up x HundrED — LEGO Stop Motion for Social Impact. A short video introducing the social impact work behind my inclusive learning projects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw9m_F_HSJ4

Photo

Mini-Community brings together families, volunteers, specialists, and Talk-Spots to support inclusive communication practice. Menu illustration from the current Mini-Talks website.

Photo

Mini-Kits: Design-Talks, Brick-Talks, and Fig-Talks connect digital communication practice with physical figures and scenes. Menu illustration from the current Mini-Talks website.

Link

Mini-Talks Studio – Mini-Talks

Studio and App: Mini-Talks combines personalised Minis, familiar scenes, and four communication levels — Sound, Word, Sentence, and Dialogue. Menu illustration from the current Mini-Talks website. https://mini-talks.org/studio-and-app/mini-talks-studio/

Implementation steps

1. Explore Mini-Talks and choose how to take part

Visit mini-talks.org and explore Mini-Library, Studio & App, Mini-Kits, and Mini-Community. Families can explore communication practice, volunteers can support activities, and specialists can learn about collaboration. Choose the route that fits your role and interests.

2. Set up a role and personalise a Mini

Open Studio & App. Explore the available entry options and select the appropriate role: Child, Parent, Expert, or Builder. Parent approval is required for child accounts and expert connections. Choose a familiar scene and customise a Mini using hair, head, torso, and legs, or start with a ready-made character.

3. Choose a comfortable communication level

Select Sound, Word, Sentence, or Dialogue according to the participant’s readiness. Watch and listen to a demo first if helpful. Keep the activity playful and allow time to explore; participation and non-verbal communication are welcome without pressure to speak.

4. Try a demo, record, and play back

Use the coloured brick slots to choose the level, Mini, audio, and action. Watch a demo or make a short recording when comfortable, then play it back with the Mini’s animation. Dialogue mode supports separate recordings for two Minis. Pause or change the activity whenever needed.

5. Connect digital practice with play and community

Explore Mini-Kits to connect digital practice with physical scenes and figures, including Design-Talks, Brick-Talks, and Fig-Talks. Families can explore Mini-Community, Talk-Spots, and expert resources. Use the parent or approved expert dashboard where appropriate and adapt future sessions to the participant’s interests and comfort.