“Children are born ready, able and eager to learn. They actively reach out to interact with other people, and in the world around them. Development is not an automatic process, however. It depends on each unique child having opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments.” Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Your child’s Language and speech development is an essential part of their progression in life. It’s important that you - as a parent or parents - and your childcare provider work together in partnership, to address this vital stage of your child’s life. Otherwise, it will impact negatively on their speech and language development. In order to show our commitment to this aim, all staff has attended an I CAN training session.
Speech and language comes under the communication umbrella. Having effective communication skills is a fundamental key to living a fruitful life. If your child is able to communicate well, it will build up their self-confidence. That in return, will help your child’s future well-being.
Language skills are vital for your child’s development
Lack of communication can adversely affect your child’s learning, temperament and social development. According to I CAN, it also has an impact on their future success. “Communication and language skills are the foundation for children's learning and key to their life chances. In some parts of the UK, over 50% of children start school without essential communication skills. These skills are the vehicle for learning, making friends and succeeding in life.” www.ican.org
Did you know that one of the reasons your toddler has screaming and shouting tantrums is because they’re not able to communicate with you? Maybe they’re tired or hungry or feeling some other emotion. But they can’t say, “Mummy or daddy, I’m hungry. Or I’m tired. Or I don’t feel well.” As a result, they get frustrated.
It’s similar to adults when you’re trying to get your point across to someone else. Imagine you’re doing your best to explain what you want to say, but they don’t get it. Eventually, you will get irritated unless you have a lot of patience. You also need to exercise patience with your child during this delicate stage of their development.
There are strategies you can use to assist your child’s language skills. In addition, working in partnership with your child’s nursery will advance their development.
Ivy League Nursery works in collaboration with I CAN. I CAN is a children’s communication charity. Their vision is, “a world where all children have the communication skills they need to fulfil their potential.” And their mission is, “that no child should be left out or left behind because of a difficulty speaking or understanding”.
“I CAN aims to help parents and early years practitioners make communication development a priority for children. We have specially designed programmes to help early years practitioners support and develop the communication skills of children. These include a range of Toolkits, workplace training and resources for practitioners to meet the requirements for improving provision and practice in developing children's communication and language as well as supporting partnership working.” I CAN
Some of the following tips and advice are taken from a poster from I CAN. You can download your copy by clicking on this link.
Speech and language development strategies
Babies: 6 - 18 months
· 6 months
When you speak to your baby at close range, they watch your face intensely. They experiment with sounds such as, “Bababa.” They understand familiar words, like “Milk” and “Bye Bye.”
Tip: While you’re changing your baby’s nappies, feeding or taking them out, talk to them.
· 1 year
Your baby will start to use simple words, although you will not understand what they’re saying. Also, most babies will not understand your instructions, such as “Give it to mummy.”
Tip: You can help them to listen properly by turning off the TV when speaking to them. Talk to your baby often & pronounce words clearly. Repeat familiar words, such as ‘milk, daddy, mummy, hello, bye’.
Toddlers and Pre-schoolers: 18 months - 5 year olds
· 18 months
Your toddler will be able to join simple words and find familiar things in books that you point to. Or identify toys in the room. Help them develop their speech by reflecting the words they say to you. For example, if they say words like ‘Mum’, reply by saying “Yes, I am mum.”
Tip: Get down to their level and say their name to get their attention. Make learning fun. Imitate their words. This will show them that you value what they are saying and encourage them to speak more. Seek help if they can’t say any words or understand what you say.
· 2 year olds
Your child should be able to understand longer sentences like, “It’s time for dinner now.” They should also know how to form 2 to 3 word sentences using simple words (up to 200). Similarly, they may add new words daily.
Tip: You can help reinforce and develop their speech by repeating and adding to their words. For example, they say “Cat.” You reply, “Yes, it’s a cat.” Keep sentences short. Speak to your child and tell them what you’re doing. Encourage them to repeat your words back to you.
· 3 years
Your child should now be able form complex sentences such as, “I played with my friend today.” Although, they will still have difficulties pronouncing certain word sounds, such as ‘r, w, l, y, f, th, s sh, ch & j’. Don’t worry if they find some words hard to say. It’s normal.
Tip: Be patient with your child while they’re speaking. Make eye contact and allow them time to finish what they are saying. Don’t draw attention to any difficulties they may have with saying hard words.
· 4 years
They’re getting independent with their speech. Your child will be able to speak to adults and be understood. This is the phase when they ask lots of questions. Moreover, they will be excited to share what they did throughout the day with you.
Tip: Instead of asking them a lot of questions, comment positively on what they tell you. Too many questions will hinder the flow of natural communication. Praise your child instead of criticising. Be patient with them.
· 5 years
At this age your child can talk to you and play at the same time. They are able to understand and respond to complex questions like, “Show me the orange, yellow and blue balloons. And what’s your teacher’s name?” They should be using and understanding most of the words you use.
Tip: Seek help if you can’t understand what your child is trying to tell you. Or if they haven’t developed from using simple words, or can’t put together legible sentences.
The advice and tips above are just some of the basic guidelines to consider, in terms of your child’s speech and language development.
Your child spends more hours at nursery than they do at home. Therefore, it is extremely important to work in partnership with your childcare provider. They will notice any progress or lack of development in their communication skills. They are also qualified to offer you the right guidance in line with the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage).
“Language for Communication – is about how children become communicators. Learning to listen and speak emerges out of non-verbal communication, which includes facial expression, eye contact, and hand gesture. These skills develop as children interact with others, listen to and use language, extend their vocabulary and experience stories, songs, poems and rhymes.” Communication & Language (EYFS PDF)
Over to you:
We have some questions for you to consider…
a) What will you do to help develop your child’s speech or
language skills?
b) How do you plan to work in partnership with your child’s
nursery to address this important topic?
c) Are you happy with your child’s speech development?
d) If you are concerned about your child’s language or speech
development, what steps would you take to obtain support?
Your child’s Language and speech development is an essential part of their progression in life. It’s important that you - as a parent or parents - and your childcare provider work together in partnership, to address this vital stage of your child’s life. Otherwise, it will impact negatively on their speech and language development. In order to show our commitment to this aim, all staff has attended an I CAN training session.
Speech and language comes under the communication umbrella. Having effective communication skills is a fundamental key to living a fruitful life. If your child is able to communicate well, it will build up their self-confidence. That in return, will help your child’s future well-being.
Language skills are vital for your child’s development
Lack of communication can adversely affect your child’s learning, temperament and social development. According to I CAN, it also has an impact on their future success. “Communication and language skills are the foundation for children's learning and key to their life chances. In some parts of the UK, over 50% of children start school without essential communication skills. These skills are the vehicle for learning, making friends and succeeding in life.” www.ican.org
Did you know that one of the reasons your toddler has screaming and shouting tantrums is because they’re not able to communicate with you? Maybe they’re tired or hungry or feeling some other emotion. But they can’t say, “Mummy or daddy, I’m hungry. Or I’m tired. Or I don’t feel well.” As a result, they get frustrated.
It’s similar to adults when you’re trying to get your point across to someone else. Imagine you’re doing your best to explain what you want to say, but they don’t get it. Eventually, you will get irritated unless you have a lot of patience. You also need to exercise patience with your child during this delicate stage of their development.
There are strategies you can use to assist your child’s language skills. In addition, working in partnership with your child’s nursery will advance their development.
Ivy League Nursery works in collaboration with I CAN. I CAN is a children’s communication charity. Their vision is, “a world where all children have the communication skills they need to fulfil their potential.” And their mission is, “that no child should be left out or left behind because of a difficulty speaking or understanding”.
“I CAN aims to help parents and early years practitioners make communication development a priority for children. We have specially designed programmes to help early years practitioners support and develop the communication skills of children. These include a range of Toolkits, workplace training and resources for practitioners to meet the requirements for improving provision and practice in developing children's communication and language as well as supporting partnership working.” I CAN
Some of the following tips and advice are taken from a poster from I CAN. You can download your copy by clicking on this link.
Speech and language development strategies
Babies: 6 - 18 months
· 6 months
When you speak to your baby at close range, they watch your face intensely. They experiment with sounds such as, “Bababa.” They understand familiar words, like “Milk” and “Bye Bye.”
Tip: While you’re changing your baby’s nappies, feeding or taking them out, talk to them.
· 1 year
Your baby will start to use simple words, although you will not understand what they’re saying. Also, most babies will not understand your instructions, such as “Give it to mummy.”
Tip: You can help them to listen properly by turning off the TV when speaking to them. Talk to your baby often & pronounce words clearly. Repeat familiar words, such as ‘milk, daddy, mummy, hello, bye’.
Toddlers and Pre-schoolers: 18 months - 5 year olds
· 18 months
Your toddler will be able to join simple words and find familiar things in books that you point to. Or identify toys in the room. Help them develop their speech by reflecting the words they say to you. For example, if they say words like ‘Mum’, reply by saying “Yes, I am mum.”
Tip: Get down to their level and say their name to get their attention. Make learning fun. Imitate their words. This will show them that you value what they are saying and encourage them to speak more. Seek help if they can’t say any words or understand what you say.
· 2 year olds
Your child should be able to understand longer sentences like, “It’s time for dinner now.” They should also know how to form 2 to 3 word sentences using simple words (up to 200). Similarly, they may add new words daily.
Tip: You can help reinforce and develop their speech by repeating and adding to their words. For example, they say “Cat.” You reply, “Yes, it’s a cat.” Keep sentences short. Speak to your child and tell them what you’re doing. Encourage them to repeat your words back to you.
· 3 years
Your child should now be able form complex sentences such as, “I played with my friend today.” Although, they will still have difficulties pronouncing certain word sounds, such as ‘r, w, l, y, f, th, s sh, ch & j’. Don’t worry if they find some words hard to say. It’s normal.
Tip: Be patient with your child while they’re speaking. Make eye contact and allow them time to finish what they are saying. Don’t draw attention to any difficulties they may have with saying hard words.
· 4 years
They’re getting independent with their speech. Your child will be able to speak to adults and be understood. This is the phase when they ask lots of questions. Moreover, they will be excited to share what they did throughout the day with you.
Tip: Instead of asking them a lot of questions, comment positively on what they tell you. Too many questions will hinder the flow of natural communication. Praise your child instead of criticising. Be patient with them.
· 5 years
At this age your child can talk to you and play at the same time. They are able to understand and respond to complex questions like, “Show me the orange, yellow and blue balloons. And what’s your teacher’s name?” They should be using and understanding most of the words you use.
Tip: Seek help if you can’t understand what your child is trying to tell you. Or if they haven’t developed from using simple words, or can’t put together legible sentences.
The advice and tips above are just some of the basic guidelines to consider, in terms of your child’s speech and language development.
Your child spends more hours at nursery than they do at home. Therefore, it is extremely important to work in partnership with your childcare provider. They will notice any progress or lack of development in their communication skills. They are also qualified to offer you the right guidance in line with the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage).
“Language for Communication – is about how children become communicators. Learning to listen and speak emerges out of non-verbal communication, which includes facial expression, eye contact, and hand gesture. These skills develop as children interact with others, listen to and use language, extend their vocabulary and experience stories, songs, poems and rhymes.” Communication & Language (EYFS PDF)
Over to you:
We have some questions for you to consider…
a) What will you do to help develop your child’s speech or
language skills?
b) How do you plan to work in partnership with your child’s
nursery to address this important topic?
c) Are you happy with your child’s speech development?
d) If you are concerned about your child’s language or speech
development, what steps would you take to obtain support?