Introduction
Learning to talk is a highly complex process which involves lots of different connected skills. For most children, speech, language and communication skills develop in a typical way, following a predictable sequence.
For children whose talking does not develop in a typical way or at the rate we would expect, it is often appropriate to support underlying skills, such as listening, shared attention and play. This helps the child to learn more about communication and to be able to understand what words mean. This lays the foundation for learning to use words and for developing different speech sounds.
Here you will find information and ideas on how to help support your child’s speech, language and communication. Children develop at different rates. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication, you can contact your health visitor or get in touch with SLT directly. Whatever stage your chid is at, there are lots of ways you can support their development. Adults play a key role in supporting children’s speech, language and communication. This toolkit has been designed to support parents, families, partners and professionals who work with children in the early years, and is relevant for both children with and without an identified speech, language and communication need.
Useful links
There are lots of great websites and resources available online that we recommend.
- Explore activities, tips and advice for children aged 0-5 years with BBC's Tiny Happy People.
- Discover the benefits of sharing stories, songs and rhymes with Bookbug! Visit Scottish Book Trust's website, download the free app or visit Shetland Library to find out about local Bookbug sessions.
- Ready Steady Toddler! A practical guide from NHS Health Scotland to help you navigate all aspects of the toddler years.
- Visit Speech and Language UK's Talking Point for information on ages and stages of communication milestones, and for lots of resources and factsheets regarding speech, language and communication needs. Includes resources for pre-school and school-age children, and information is available for both parents and professionals.
To access the developmental overviews often used in ELC settings, and the Words Up key messages for oral language in the early years, visit the Highland Literacy website.
Additional information for ELC practitioners:
When taking a staged approach to support, it can be helpful to first consider an inclusive learning environment to support all children in your setting. Realising the Ambition: Being Me – the national practice guidance for early years in Scotland – is an important foundation to help achieve this.
To support children more at risk of poor achievement in language, literacy and learning, the CIRCLE collaboration’s Up, up and away! resource for early years is a practical tool to help further optimise an inclusive learning environment, as well as identify and plan to meet the needs of specific children.