Communication Supports

Noticing your child has difficulty communicating can be challenging. Talking to your child’s room leader or teacher is a good place to start. They can explain what supports are available and may refer them for Speech & Language Therapy. There are also some exercises and workshops that can help.

Exercises to help your child’s speech and language (0-3 years)

Below are some tips we suggest to parents to help their child’s speech and language develop:

• Use animated facial expressions to help your child understand what you say.
• Copy your baby’s sounds so that they know you are there.
• Keep screens, devices and phone use to a minimum unless medically recommended
• Play ‘what does the (animal) say’
• Give your child your full attention when they speak so they know you’re interested
• Ask interested questions to encourage your child to speak
• Give your child time to finish their sentences so they know you will wait for them
• Be patient and give them time to think about and answer what you ask
• Play games with turn taking so they practise learning with others. EG. ‘peekaboo’ or  ‘I spy’. Snap, Games with a ball, Connect 4, Operation etc.
• Learn and sing songs and rhymes together
• Have fun with books, looking at the pictures, naming things, pointing out things etc.

Parent Workshops

We provide parents of children in early years settings and primary schools with workshops that help them support their child’s speech and language. Workshops focus on:

• Speech and language needs
• How to support your child developing their speech, words and language development
• Tips and tools that work to boost your child’s speaking and talking
• Early talking and understanding

Specialised Speech & Language Therapy

Our specialised support focused on children at risk of Speech and Language delay. We work with children who are referred by early years’ service or the school (up to second class) your child goes to.

During our sessions, we work with your child, you and the teachers to create a programme that supports your child’s needs. For the programme to work as best it can, you and the teachers need to practise the exercises given by the therapist. It is this practice that helps your child’s speech to improve.