Training staff who work with children in nurseries and reception classes is a vital part of a speech and language therapist role and integral part of Small Talk Speech & Language Therapy’s work. This is more important than ever before following the recent Bercow report which highlighted serious communication issues in young school pupils: at least two pupils in every primary school class – rising to almost half the class in areas of social deprivation – are currently struggling to learn properly due to problems with basic skills such as listening and following instructions.
Language Land was designed to be used by speech and language therapists as a training package for teachers, and was developed through funding by Newcastle-Under-Lyme NHS PCT and Staffordshire LEA. It provides a complete programme to help speech and language skills of all children in primary and nursery education, not just those with identified problems. “The programme was trialled extensively and successfully in primary schools in Newcastle, but I could find no evidence that anyone had used the nursery component of the programme,” explained Mrs. Hill. “It seemed obvious to me that starting this kind of learning as early as possible i.e. before school, makes a great deal of sense. “Listening is a common problem in children these days. It is not a skill you acquire but one you learn”.
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Independent Speech and language therapist Libby Hill piloted its use in local nurseries with youngsters from Horn End nurseries in Stafford, Hixon and Rugeley. The programme includes sections on attention & listening, vocabulary, expressive language, receptive language and phonological awareness. The school component also covers narrative which are all skills essential for school.
Nursery staff received their training by observing Mrs Hill in action in circle time sessions. Demonstration is a powerful teaching tool and also avoids costly staff cover. “I went through what I intended to do with the staff before starting, and then during sessions I would constantly be saying things like ‘I am doing this because’ and ‘did you notice how they did that’ so that they could see how to do it themselves at the end of the programme.
“I was delighted with the results and the feedback. There was a noticeable increase in attention by the end of the programme. “The children could sit still for longer, pay attention for longer, and their listening skills improved – all these things are essential for children starting school to be able to learn effectively.”
Deborah Falshaw, owner of Horn End Nurseries, and a former teacher had been impressed with the Language Land programme, and felt it would be a great benefit for both staff and children. “I believe communication and language skills are the key to all learning, and our nurseries promote good communications through encouraging speaking, listening, early reading and emergent writing,” she explained. “We are keen to ensure our fully qualified staff receive ongoing training to improve their skills, and Language Land offered this, along with additional benefits for children and parents. “We certainly saw an improvement in the children’s concentration and listening skills.”
Mrs. Hill is now preparing to deliver the programme to more schools and nurseries in the area. “All nurseries, reception and year one classes would benefit from this. Schools now have a mandate from the Government, following the Bercow report, to be very aware of speech, language and communication issues, and this is an ideal way to deliver the training,” she said.
To find out more about Smalltalk or services to children and schools: www.private-speech-therapy.co.uk
For more information, please contact Libby Hill on 01889 560888.
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