Early Language and the Home Learning Environment
The home learning environment has a real impact on a child’s early language and learning and it is an important factor in the development of early speech, language and communication. This not only impacts on a child’s development in the early years but can persist until their GCSEs. To provide the best possible learning environment there are specific activities and ways of communicating which can help support a child’s early language development.
In Manchester we have a dedicated Early Years team that works with children who are aged 0 - 18 months. They focus on providing early support and advice to parents and people who work with young children. To contact this team, ask for support and register interest in services you can email SLTearlyyearsadmin@mft.nhs.uk
There are also Speech and Language Therapy online workshops available to view and these have been created to help parents and carers across Manchester learn how to support their child’s social communication needs.
There are three workshops in total to complete and the goals of these are to:
- Provide you with new strategies to support your child’s early interaction and communication skills
- Provide you with new information so you know why we are asking you to try the strategies
- Providing you with ideas on how to implement the strategies in your child’s daily life in order to help their communication skills
It is recommended to watch one workshop per month and then follow the advice at home.
Workshop 1 – Getting the Interaction Started
Workshop 2 – Supporting Understanding
Workshop 3 – Creating Communication Opportunities
There is also lots of advice and leaflets for support with different areas of speech, language and communication available by clicking on