Speech & Language support
We are very fortunate here at the pre-school, to have staff with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of children’s speech and language development. They are able to identify particular needs and then support the children accordingly, using a fun and creative approach in order to help them achieve their full potential.
Small group activities, and/or 1:1 support, is offered in a quiet area on a weekly basis with the following goals in mind:
- identifying any children who may need extra support with their speech and language skills
- developing attention and listening skills
- developing key concepts such as preposition and shapes
- developing expressive language skills
- developing social skills
- promoting sound work
If you have any concerns or questions about your child regarding any of the above, please come and speak to a member of staff.
Here are a number of resources that you may want to look at to gain further insight into the development of Speech and Language.
- Stages of Expressive Language Development
- Stages of Understanding Language
- Early Words
- Encouraging Talking
- Learning New Words
- First Words
- Turn Taking
We are also working alongside Healthy Active Little Ones (HALO) to be able to provide Toddler Talk sessions with you as families to help support and develop your child’s speech and language. We will assess their needs and then work with you to demonstrate some games that we might play together to try to help your child’s development as explained on this poster Language Checkers poster Further information about HALO can also be seen here.
New campaign and resources to improve early-language development (October 2022)
Some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK start school developmentally months behind their peers and the gap can grow throughout the years.
In order to ensure that every child is ready to learn and make friends when they start reception, the Department for Education has launched a new campaign to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their children to develop their communication, language and literacy skills.
The main objective of the campaign is to direct parents to the Start for Life online hub, where you can find ideas of activities to do with children of different age ranges and explore where to find further support in the local area. Please find below three posters giving key times that encourage the skills mentioned: