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Resources for Everyone

Here you will find information, resources and sign-posting to support all children to develop their communication skills. Click on each section to open up advice, links to videos, other trusted websites and more.

Please access these resources before making a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service. You may also find them useful if your child, or the child you are working with, is already known to the service and are waiting for their first appointment.  

If your child already has targets set by this service, please also find more specific information and advice on the ‘Targeted Resources’ page. 

Communication development usually follows a pattern, however, it can emerge in different ways as well. Each section below acts as part of a jigsaw, eventually fitting together to allow a child to express themselves and understand others. Work through each section in turn and focus on the strategies and activities for that section if you notice your child is not where they are expected for their age. 

Further down the page, you will find some Speech and Language specific difficulties, for example, stammering. Many of these areas can be a usual part of development for young children. If you have concerns, you can click on the links below for advice and strategies.

Early Interaction

Before children learn to talk, they need to develop early interaction skills. These include; looking, joint attention, and listening. These skills are key ‘pieces of the jigsaw’ for developing understanding and communication. A lot of important communication skills develop before first words appear. 

Play

Play is extremely important in encouraging children’s exploration and speech and language development. Play develops like every other skill through your child having opportunities to explore toys and items that interest them. It helps children understand the world around them and provides opportunities to try out sounds, for example; transport and animals sounds, leading to first words and the start of early vocabulary. 

Social Communication

Social skills are the skills we use every day to interact and communicate with others. They include verbal and non-verbal communication, such as gesture, facial expression and body language (kidsense).  This forms an important part of interactions between children other children or adults. Differences with social communication skills may be part of a wider diagnosis, or simply something a child finds difficult. 

Attention

The ability to pay attention to what another person is doing and saying is one of the most important skills that support communication development and learning in general. Children develop attention over time and there are lots of ways we can support children to pay attention through play as well as during communication later on.

Understanding Language

Understanding language is understanding the words, sentences and meaning of what others say. This is a crucial piece of the jigsaw in relation to developing talking skills. Children often want to be confident that they have understood the words of those around them before they use words themselves. There are lots of ways we can build children’s confidence in this area, before moving onto saying words.

Talking

Talking is often the area of speech and language that adults around a child focus on. Please take the time to read through the other areas of development on this page before implementing support around talking. If you’re sure this is the area to start with, look at the advice we have here to support children’s development of spoken language.

Speech Sounds

Speech is the production of sounds that make up words. Children learn how to use speech sounds by listening to people speak, and it can take up to 7 years to develop all the different sounds we use. Find out more information about speech sounds, how speech develops on our what to expect and when leaflet and then complete our detailed ‘Speech Screen’ tool with your child if you are concerned about your child’s speech sound development. 

Bilingualism

Bilingualism is the ability to understand and/or use two or more languages. Children all over the world learn more than one language without developing speech or language problems. Find out simple ways to support your child, or the children you support, here.

Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism is an anxiety-based disorder which usually starts in early childhood.  This can happen during big changes for the child, and then they start to use more language in all environments over time again. If you have concerns this has been happening for your child for some time, find out more information and strategies here. There is lots more in this local information pack. You can also speak with Solar if you feel your child’s anxiety is causing them to miss important learning and social opportunities. 

Communication Friendly Environments

Some children and adults need ways to support communication over and above talking. This might be signing key words, using communication boards or other visuals or communication books. We have a lot of free resources you can access or print off to use at home or in settings right here.  

Stammering

In preschoolers, stammering can happen as a child’s knowledge and understanding develops faster than their ability to put their thoughts into words. In most children this will last up to a year before disappearing. It’s important to follow the advice here so you can support your child to continue to grow in confidence if this is happening. 

Voice

Voice is the sound that is made when our vocal cords touch and vibrate.  Our voice is unique so we all sound different. If this vibration is forced then the sound of our voice may change and sound hoarse, croaky, breathy, weak or strained. If this is the case for your child, click here for simple strategies to help them.

Fussy Eating

Food refusal is a normal phase that most children pass through. Fear of new foods often happens around 2 years of age but for some children food refusal or food limiting can persist. Click here for information, strategies and links to trusted websites. 

If you’re worried that your child is struggling with eating, drinking or swallowing, CONTACT US or REFER your child for an eating and drinking assessment.  

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