Increase observations to understand how the child communicates, with who and where they communicate best, what their strengths and interests are, and how these can be used to encourage engagement in activities. Monitor how the child responds to your communication with them and whether they follow the words you are saying and/or the gestures you are using.
Use the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (Listening & Attention, Understanding, Speaking) and discussions with parents/carers to understand current skills and next steps for development. See the Celebratory Approach to SEND Assessment in the Early Years for ideas to support observations and holding supportive conversations with parents.
Plan and adapt tasks and activities to take account of the child’s individual communication needs – ensuring an enabling environment and inclusion at all times of the day.
Provide frequent practice to develop communication skills through recall and repetition.
Develop close home and setting links to ensure strategies are used across both environments to support the generalisation of skills. Signpost parents to relevant information and activities on the BBC Tiny Happy People website.
Agree clear plans and the use of support strategies to achieve agreed outcomes in the child’s Play Plan or similar. Ensure regular meetings to review progress (every 6-8 weeks).
Access additional staff training on supporting children with specific communication and interaction needs (e.g. Area SENCO, Speech and Language Therapist, Communication Development Worker, Educational Psychologist).
Access additional staff training to support key adults to understand and respond to behaviours associated with Communication and Interaction difficulties (e.g. frustration at not being able to communicate, distressed behaviours as a result of not understanding spoken instructions or expectations).
Ensure additional support is in place to develop emotional vocabulary using visual and real-life situations (e.g. mirror play, discussion of emotions during stories/ puppet play, use of feelings visuals).
Ensure the regular delivery of targeted interventions through play: including attention and listening skills, understanding skills and speech/ communication skills.
Take inspiration from the WellComm Big Book of Ideas providing a total of around 150 instant, play-based activities linked to screening results).
Provide regular communication groups, working on speech and language skills on a frequent basis with a small group of children. It can be helpful to include good role models alongside children who need additional support. Sessions may be themed, for example using ideas from Talking Boxes.
Elklan Training Limited - accredited courses for education and other staff working with those with speech, language and communication needs and for parents.
Early Language Builders from ELKLAN is a practical book which provides detailed advice and activities to promote the speaking and listening skills of all children aged between 2 and 6 years.