Speech sound difficulties can have wider impacts on language development and learning.
Often children's expressive language skills are delayed because their speech is difficult to understand so adults are not able to have conversations with them. This means that opportunities for language extension and grammar correction are missed leading to children using shorter sentences and sounding like a younger child by using incorrect grammar.
Speech sound difficulties can impact on literacy skills where children are unable to sound out words to themselves or they are not used to producing longer sentences.
Social integration and play skills can be impacted due to the child not being able to be understood.
Self-esteem can be affected and children can lack the confidence to talk or be reluctant to speak. This is where mental health concerns can arise.
Some children can become frustrated with being unable to make themselves understood.
Do you feel like you want to help the children in your setting who have unclear speech but don't know how, or whether you are 'allowed to'?
Well, I'm here to show you that you CAN help them, you are allowed to.
You can even have quite a lot of fun working on speech sounds, playing a range of games and different activities.
Lots of children who are on waiting lists for therapy sessions with speech therapy services can be helped in education settings or at home instead.
You just need to know what to do.
I'll show you how to help them in my Speech Sounds Steps to Success course.
By applying the theory and understanding you'll get from the course, along with the targeted interventions you can deliver in your setting, you'll see some BIG improvements:
⭐ Literacy skills will improve as your child will be able to identify the correct sound and be able to sound out words and phrases.
⭐Play skills will no longer be hindered by unclear speech.
⭐Self-esteem and heightened awareness of being unable to 'talk properly' will be reduced.
⭐Frustrations can be eased.
⭐Expressive language and communication skills can flourish, lots of awesome conversations can be had and encouraged. Terrible jokes can be shared.
Most importantly, you'll be able to get started straight away so that the impacts on your child's self esteem, literacy, language development, play and social skills can be reduced.
Your children can thrive and reach their potential with the barrier of speech sound difficulties being reduced or even eliminated.
If you have children in your setting who have speech sound difficulties and have been on a waiting list for speech therapy assessment or sessions, this course is for you. If, like me, you know that children in next years' intake (and the ones after that) will have speech sound difficulties too, this course is for you.
**In case we haven't met yet "hello! 👋" I'm Beth Morrant, a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist.
I create online CPD training courses and resources for education and childcare staff to support children with speech, language and communication needs.
I'm a fan of fun things and terrible jokes!
I have tonnes of information, advice and activities for you to support the children you work with.
I think Spiderman is better then Batman and the best thing to put on pancakes is strawberries and chocolate sauce! (These are the conversations I like to have with 3 & 4 year olds 🤣).