Developing Children S Speech Language And Communication Through Stories And Drama

Using drama activities based on a range of classic and modern stories, this inspiring resource equips SENCOs, primary school teachers and speech and language therapists alike with simple, practical and effective tools to improve children's speech, language and communication. Key features include: a huge range of activities so that the resource can be used in focused support for those with SGBPN or in mixed ability classrooms topical links to the English programmes of study so that activities support core curriculum learning distinct sections for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 make the book relevant from Reception to Year 6. Unlike alternative resources, this book uses drama techniques to address speech, language and communication needs and can be used for both therapy and mainstream primary education.

Professionals in early years settings can use this book to focus on ways in which they can work collaboratively with colleagues, in order to help children with communication difficulties to understand and express themselves more fully. It brings together the most useful examples of good practice and draws on the work of reflective practitioners. There are many illustrative case studies provided and it discusses how to observe children's daily interactions, ways in which such observations can be used to improve communication skills; how play can be an important part of improvement; behavior management and support; and literacy development. The practical applications are highlighted throughout the book and the advice given comes directly from those working in early years settings. It should be of great interest to all nursery teachers, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists and parents wishing to play an active part in their children's development of language and communication skills.

Interactive storytelling, where the story is spoken or chanted, began as a way to include individuals with severe and profound learning disabilities in larger group activities, whether children at school or adults in day services. The stories are performed in call-and-response - one person calls out a line and the rest of the group respond either by calling back the same line or by calling out a pre-arranged response - and require no previous experience in drama or storytelling. They can be performed anywhere, by anyone. Various stories are explored, ranging from folktales and pantomime to poetry, the works of Charles Dickens, Shakespeare and stories from the Old Testament. Each extract details the full call-and-response for performing the story. This approach to storytelling can be used by teachers and group facilitators in a variety of settings and with any group of children or adults, irrespective of their level of disability. This hands-on manual will enable teachers, therapists, parents and anyone working with children or adults in community settings to use performance and recital to bring stories, drama and poetry to life for people of all abilities. 'This book is a useful resource...is simply written...is especially appropriate for people working with children and adults with speech, language and communication difficulties.' - Child Language Teaching and Therapy.

The ability to communicate is an essential life skill for all children and young people and it underpins their social, emotional and educational development. If a child experiences a positive relationship with an adult listening carefully, they are more likely to constructively share their thoughts, feelings and their imaginative ideas. That’s My Story! places children’s imagined stories at the heart of their own development and provides a joyful, creative approach to support young children’s personal and social development and to encourage their communication. In this book you will find: Tried-and-tested drama games and activities that support communication and well-being, all adaptable to complement your current practice Guidance and advice on how to promote positive adult-child interactions Examples of creative interventions that support children’s communication development A celebration of the joy that comes with carefully listening to children’s own imagined stories Those of us who work with children can sense a tangible connection between how young children feel and how they communicate. This essential and practical resource will be valuable reading for primary teachers, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists, and drama practitioners, as well as outreach and education departments of theatre companies and other arts organisations.

This publication is concerned with the early stages of language acquisition and is designed for use by early childhood teachers, nursery nurses, special education teachers and others working with children experiencing difficulties in learning to talk. Procedures are described that can be used to assess a child' s current skills and plan activities to increase communicative competence. The programme described is based on a developmental sequence that moves the early skills of joint attention, turn-taking and appropriate play to the more complex skills of asking and answering questions. Other issues discussed include sound development and intelligibility, the use of augmentative and alternative communication as stepping stones to speech, working with children and with families. The second edition has an expanded focus on the place of communicative intentions in early language development.

Written by two experienced speech language therapists, who have worked extensively alongside mainstream teachers, this book provides activities that are both teacher and child friendly. It contains a collection of graded games and activities designed to foster the speaking, listening and understanding skills of children aged from 5 to 7. The activities are divided into two main areas: Understanding Spoken Language: Following Instructions; Getting the Main Idea; Thinking Skills; Developing Vocabulary; Understanding Inference. Using Spoken Language: Narrating; Describing; Explaining; Predicting; Playing with Words. Each activity has a clear aim, simple instructions, and requires minimal equipment. Activities may be carried out by teachers, classroom assistants or volunteers. Incorporates user-friendly opportunities for assessment, target setting and evaluation. Includes photocopiable material to support the activities. "Many of the activities can be used by speech language therapists, and the book can be used as an effective part of a speech and language programme. Promotes the skills outlined in Speaking and Listening in the English National Curriculum Key Stage One.

This series of wordless picture books aims to help children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) to develop their expressive sentence and narrative skills, through learning to tell each story. There are 10 stories that will be separated into two levels, geared towards advancing the child from simple to intermediate and complex sentences. The stories are written in the style of a film scroll and contain familiar events to ensure the story is understandable. The general formula of each story will be a disruption (often humorous) in familiar routines followed by resolutions. The accompanying guide will have strategies on how to teach and progress the child through each level and stage, and will have an additional skills section. Although this resource is primarily for SLCN, they could also be used for early years and reception. Kulvinder Kaur, Team Lead in Applied Behavioural Analysis (Intervention for Children with a Diagnosis of Autism), Gordon Primary School, Eltham.