Keeping Your Students Safe in the Summer Holidays
A recent online poll from Barnardo’s has shown that this summer, more than ever, children in the UK are at greater risk of exploitation. Their research suggests that the holidays will be especially ha …
What do Speech and Language Therapists Do?
When looking into getting help for a child, it can be difficult to know who to approach for advice. It can be hard to identify what the problem is, which makes it harder still to know who is best plac …
Support your Child's Development with Joint Attention
You hear a sound in the distance and point as you say "look, a train!", whilst waiting for your child to look and follow your line of focus. When blowing bubbles, you and your child will pop them toge …
Help your child have better conversations with their friends
Making and keeping friends is complicated. You need to be able to communicate well with them. If your child has trouble expressing themselves or understanding social cues, they might have a harder tim …
Developing Oracy Skills at Key Stage 2 with Speech Therapy Strategies
This week Minister for school standards Robin Walker acknowledged phonics is crucial to reading development but ‘learning to decode words is just one element of becoming a fluent reader. Without a sol …
Top-tips to start using Makaton signing in your classroom
As a speech and language therapist and qualified early years teacher, if I were to choose a communication tool that enhanced the learning environment for all children, it would be Makaton. Let me set …
Could poor communication skills be holding students back in maths?
With hundreds of pupils starting school with poor speech and language skills and even more children struggling with basic social skills, there is no wonder we are seeing the impact this has on other a …
Why won’t my teenager communicate with me?
Now we are all locked inside due to Covid-19, it’s fair to say your teenager may be driving you up the wall! They may be sitting in their room, ignoring your attempts to chat with them or refusing to …
Supporting speech and language development during lockdown
Activities to support communication skills with children – no special toys needed! With lockdown now in effect and schools and nurseries closed, parents are faced with the daunting prospect of keeping …
5 things teachers ask me about Auditory Memory
Difficulties with Auditory memory can have a significant impact on a pupil’s ability to attend and learn at the same rate as the rest of their class. I have worked as a speech and language therapist f …
