Speech and Language

Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Speech and Language Link Parent Portal

Speech and Language Link have put together some games and activities for parents/carers to use at home to encourage their child’s talking and listening. The speech activities develop a child’s ability to hear speech sounds and the language activities focus on supporting understanding of language. For more information please visit: speechandlanguage.info/parents/activities

Local resources and information

Don’t forget to also keep an eye on our local websites for further examples of activities and information about resources and support available in Devon including from Children, Family Health Devon and Babcock LDP:

Devon Local Offer- speech, language and communication

CFHD resources and information for parents/carers

CFHD preschool speech and language FB page  

CFHD school age speech and language FB page

Babcock LDP resources for parents/carers/pupils

That's not my cat
That's not my cat - Activities (PDF)

Using AAC at home
Practical ideas for using AAC at home (PDF)
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Websites to support Speech and Language development at home
Click on the blue links below...

Book Trust

Here you can find lots of lovely free interactive books to read online or watch with signing.

There are classic children's stories, including Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd to Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson, along with newer favourites such as Chris Haughton's Oh No, George! and Everybunny Dance! by Ellie Sandall.

You can also watch Storytime videos from the likes of Ore Oduba, Adam Buxton, Fearne Cotton and many more.

There are also have free, fun games to enjoy online which cover counting, feelings, reading, drawing, colouring and shape .

NOTE: The signing option shows British Sign Language NOT Makaton which your child will be used to at Mill Water.

Makaton

Here there is a great selection of popular stories with the relevant signs and some symbols. They charge between £1.65 and £2.50 to download a story with its' signs and symbols.

CBeebies - Mr Tumble

Here you will find free access to a range of 'Mr Tumble' programmes, all using Makaton signing.

Twinkl

They now have a Coronavirus Home Learning page. You can quickly set up a free account to access resources.

Search for 'SEND', select 'Communication and Interaction' and then choose Speech, Language and Communiation Needs'. From this point you will be able to access resources under the headings of 'Communication', 'Language' (how words are used) and 'Speech' (the physical production of sounds). Many of Mill Water's pupils will be working on initial sounds, pronouns, prepositions, minimal pairs and sequencing. If you have your copy of your child's Speech and Language programme you can see what would be best for them.

This is a therapy technique which uses colour coded cards to help children to learn the important elements of a sentence, and how to join them together in the correct order.

Hungry Little Minds

Small Talk – ideas and activities from the National Literacy Trust, including Apps and how to assess whether or not they are safe and appropriate for your child.

The Communication Trust

This is a coalition of over 50 not-for-profit organisations working together to with children and young people in England to support their speech, language and communication development.

Other ways of speaking

This booklet provides information about children and young people who use a variety of different ways to communicate, how you can help support them and where to go for further information.

Pinterest

Lots of good sensory and craft ideas in here. If your child is working on using "more", "finish", "stop", "go" , "I want..." etc to increase the effectiveness of their communication then using these kind of activities can make work fun!

It isn't easy to see and recognise what happens beneath the surface of children's communication
Being able to listen, pay attention, play and understand are the fundamental building blocks of communication
Adults play a crucial role in supporting these skills
Children learn by watching how adults interact with other adults and with children