Most will work with specialists to support those who have particular communication difficulties. But there is also a lot that non-specialist centre and school staff can do to boost speech and language development - often quite simple things can make a big difference.
Never miss a language opportunity. Any activity you do - whether it's crossing the road or taking coats off when you come into a centre or school - is an opportunity to develop a children's language skills and vocabulary.
Before you communicate or interact with a child, you need to get their attention. Research shows that the best way to do this is to say their name and then touch them on the elbow. General instructions to a whole group may not get through to some children. Equally, saying a child's name at the end of an instruction - such as "please don't do that, John" - means the first part can be lost.
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