How to provide extra support to make my setting or school a place that helps understanding, talking and communication
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The resources here will help you reach the outcome: "I know how to create a learning environment that provides extra support for young children who are at risk of speech, language and communication needs."
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TCT Communication Friendly Checklist
A child's learning environment can have a huge impact on their ability to develop speech, language and communication skills. This simple checklist has been designed for practitioners to be able to easily review their own learning environment to see how well it supports children. By completing the 15 easy to answer questions about the use of space, light and layout; noise levels; visual support; adult knowledge and interactions; routines, practitioners will be more informed about what they are doing well and what they could change to make their learning environment more supportive for communication.
Cost: Free
Parent information, advice and resources - Worcestershire
The Worcestershire Speech and Language Therapy service website provides a comprehensive range of resources, advice and You Tube videos to help parents to support their child / young person at home.
Visit the website to find:
- Information about speech, language and communication
- Free resources you can download and use at home
- Links to our You Tube channel where you will find demonstrations of activities you can do at home
- Further information about the local team, where we work and what services we provide
Cost: Free
Communication Supporting Classrooms Observation Tool
Developed as part of the Better Communication Research Programme (2012) following a review of provision for children with speech, language and communication needs, the audit tool is to be used when observing the quality of a learning space from Early Years through the first half of primary school. By auditing the environment, language learning opportunities and language learning interactions, practitioners will be more informed about what they are doing well and what else they could do to support communication.
Cost: Free
Worcestershire Workforce Audit
Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Self-Evaluation Audit for practitioners in settings and schools.
Cost: Free
Using visual support
Parents play a key role in supporting their child's language and communication skills in everyday life. Children learn about the world through their experiences and interests particularly within their play. Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust provide information and opportunities for families learn more about developing their child's speech and language - this video introduces how to use visual support to help communication.
Cost: Free
Now and Next Boards
Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use a 'now and next' or 'first and then' board to help your child understand what is going to happen next and to encourage them to do what you want them to do. It explains how using pictures can help if children are having difficulties with language.
Cost: Free
Communication Friendly Spaces Approach
The Communication Friendly Spaces Approach focuses on the role of the environment in supporting speaking and listening skills, emotional well-being, physical development and general engagement. The approach promotes learning environments that reflect the aspirations of individual organisations; regularly change according to the needs of the children using them; inform how learning happens; and reflect who and what is valued. It uses an evidence and inquiry-based learning approach to help children develop emotional security and skills across many areas.
Cost: £
Every Child a Talker
The materials are designed to support you to develop high quality language provision in your setting. The guidance helps you to create developmentally appropriate, supportive and stimulating environments in which young children can enjoy experimenting with and learning language. It can be implemented in Early Years settings, including childminders.
Cost: Free
Speech and Language Chatter Matters
This series of videos for parents and carers outlines how speech, language and communication skills develop; what families can do to support their child; how these skills develop over time; children with speech and language needs and how to access information and support.
Cost: Free
Stoke Speaks Out - Quiet We're Listening Posters
Posters to use in your setting to let everyone know that you're doing a listening activity and can't be interrupted. Promotes protecting listening time
Cost: Free
