Learning to communicate is a key developmental task for young children. When they learn to understand others, and express their own thoughts and feelings, they can interact socially and have their needs met. Few tasks in early childhood are as important as this one!
During the early years, families and teachers need to be highly responsive to the child’s attempts to communicate. When adults encourage a child to communicate, this helps all areas of their development. On the other hand, limited stimulation can significantly delay their progress.
While they are at school, a child’s ability to communicate with their peers and teachers is essential if they are to access, engage with, and progress in classroom activities. The range of subjects at school – from social studies and arts, to maths and science – promote language development. For children with communication difficulties, being at school with typical peers also provides the opportunity to develop social skills alongside those who are proficient language users.
The Speech and Language Team, based at Teynham School, have compiled a range of resources that may be useful for supporting children and young people to develop their communication skills. We will update the page regularly. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like more information.
Fact Sheets and Assessment Resources
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists – Fact sheets
Training
The Kent and Medway Communication and Assistive Technology (KM CAT) Service has some online training that foster carers can access. Click here to visit their web page.
Elklan offer e-learning opportunities. Click here to find out more.
Free E-learning Course – Mind Your Words:
Improve your understanding of children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs and speech, language and communication needs.
- Modules 1-5 are the core modules, and must be completed before moving on to any of the other modules.
- Modules 6-15 are optional, view our course breakdown to see what is covered.
10-15 minutes per module.
The training can be accessed here.
Online resources
ISP therapist, Marnie Clayton-Slater talks about caring for children with autism. Her series of videos are available on YouTube. This one is about communicating with non-verbal autistic children…
Guardian article about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
YouTube video about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)…
YouTube video about living with DLD as a teenager…
A personal account of living with DLD
DLD Introduction for Parents
Website about Developmental Language Disorder
Speech and language therapy resources from the NHS.
Information and advice
Common features of speech, language and communication needs
Progress checker
Top Tips and free resources for parents
