#speechandlanguage

I Need Your Help

Getting real on here for a min. I really appreciate anyone taking a few minutes to read this.

1.9 million children in the UK are currently struggling with talking and understanding words. (Speech and Language UK).

As of December 2023, 72000 children and young people are on the waiting list for speech and language services in the UK.

The demand for speech and language services are high whilst funding remains low leading to a substantial wait time to access these key services.

Imagine being told, as a parent, guardian, older sibling, aunt/uncle, grandparent, etc – “Your child needs speech and language therapy but you’re going to have to wait a year for it.”

And more than 4000 children have been waiting for over a year.

Speech and Language difficulties can impact on reading and writing abilities which has a knock-on effect onto all areas of education.

According to a report by Speech and Language UK, children who struggle to talk and understand words are:

• Six times more likely to be behind in English at age eleven

• Eleven times more likely to be behind in Maths at age 11

• Twice as likely to have a mental health problem

• Twice as likely to be unemployed as an adult

As a person who benefitted from accessing speech and language services with two brothers and a dad who also benefitted greatly, this is a matter I’m very passionate about. We were lucky that we were able to access the therapy, services and support we needed. It shouldn’t be a matter of luck.

Speech and language desperately needs more funding.

And it’s not just children. Adults can have speech and language conditions too and require the same access to speech and language services! Speech and language conditions are not limited to ones you are born with. Anyone, at any age, can acquire a communication condition. (Take Chris Kamara for example).

So any UK peeps reading this – please sign the petition below pushing for the government to increase their investment in speech and language services.

Speech and language development is a critical aspect of a child's overall growth, laying the foundation for communication, social interaction, and academic success. While many factors contribute to a child's language skills, one key element that has a profound impact on their development is early reading. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of early reading in child speech and language development, highlighting its benefits and suggesting practical ways to incorporate reading into a child's daily routine.

Vocabulary Expansion: Reading to young children exposes them to a rich and diverse vocabulary that extends beyond everyday conversation. Books often contain new words and expressions that may not come up naturally in daily interactions. As children hear these words being read aloud, their vocabulary expands, enhancing their ability to express themselves and understand others.

Tip: Choose books with age-appropriate vocabulary and introduce new words in a fun and interactive manner during reading sessions.

Language Comprehension: Engaging with stories and books helps children develop language comprehension skills. As they listen to narratives and follow the plot, they learn to make connections, infer meaning, and develop a deeper understanding of language structures and grammar.

Tip: Encourage your child to ask questions about the story and discuss their thoughts and feelings about the characters and events.

Phonological Awareness: Early reading introduces children to the sounds and rhythm of language, promoting phonological awareness. When they hear words being broken down into individual sounds, it becomes easier for them to grasp the building blocks of language and develop essential pre-reading skills.

Tip: Play rhyming games and engage in activities that focus on sound recognition, such as identifying the initial sound of words in the books you read.

Imagination and Creativity: Reading fosters imagination and creativity in children. As they immerse themselves in the world of stories and fictional characters, they learn to think outside the box and develop their creativity, which has a positive impact on their language and communication skills.

Tip: After reading a story, encourage your child to retell it in their own words or create alternative endings to stimulate their imagination.

Bonding and Social Interaction: Reading together creates a special bonding experience between parents/caregivers and children. It provides an opportunity for meaningful social interactions, where children can express their thoughts, ask questions, and develop emotional intelligence.

Tip: Establish a regular reading routine, such as bedtime stories, to strengthen the parent-child relationship.

To some it up: