Smart Talkers:Talking about childen's communication from Small Talk SLT

You might think we’re ‘just’ having a snack....

2013-06-18T13:29:00.001+01:00

But I’m actually.. · Making a choice of snack and drink which is really important. · having a good reason to communicate · Increasing my confidence. · Taking part in one of the best communication

You think we're just having a story... but we're doing lots more

2013-06-17T12:54:00.000+01:00

Last week I covered some Chatter Tots sessions where I had to read a story to the group. It's always quite hard to engage a large group but doubly difficult when some parents just chat to each other at the same time. I tried the usual tricks to engage theses parents but I didn't want to pause the story as several were really engrossed. I waited until the end then I casually mentioned to the

You think we're just singing but we're doing so much more

2013-06-14T12:42:00.000+01:00

It was lovely to see so many families at the Songs and stories session last week at Stafford Children's Centre when I covered for Nikki. One family had even travelled from Cannock because they know the benefits of the class. Someone else commented they weren't coming because 'it was just singing and reading'. Well, it's not 'JUST' singing at all ......... We mostly use nursery rhymes

Are you an NQP thinking of independent practice?

2013-06-12T19:10:00.002+01:00

So you have finished or, are near to finishing your Speech and Language therapy (SLT) degree! Finally, all that hard work on placement, and tears and sweat for your final year project is over. Then, if like me back in September, reality hits; it’s time to find a job. Which for many, not just SLT’s is a daunting prospect at this time. Now, we have all been advised that ideally recently

You think it's just bubbles.....but it's actually a fantastic tool for developing a child's language

2013-06-10T12:31:00.000+01:00

In our Smart Talkers Pre-School Communication groups we use bubbles for several reasons to: gain and sustain attention which is important for all learning but especially learning language gain eye contact which might be a problem for some children copy words such as 'bubble', 'gone',' more', 'pretty', 'pop' or later 'that's a big one', 'I like the pretty bubbles' create a

Do you know how to start using visual strategies?

2013-05-30T13:04:00.000+01:00

It helps all children when we use visual strategies but especially if they are on the autistic continuum. We use them all the time to aid children with many things including to help them stay on track. Here's Behaviour.com with 2 useful ones which are so easy to do:

Building a business

2013-05-19T17:14:00.001+01:00

It's a been a very busy week with 2 Saturdays worth of training as well. Last week was a set of speech and language therapists, a complimentery therapist and a sports massage therapist in Birmingham, this week was a set of child-minders in Surrey who wanted to increase their knowledge because they were all concerned about children they look after. It has been fantastic to meet so many

Who has the most influence on the development of a child's speech, language and communication?

2013-05-03T19:19:00.000+01:00

Even if a child is in full-time day care, the parents still have the most influence on a child's communication development according to the latest research (Routledge et al 2012). This Hanen page shows parents why http://www.hanen.org/Special-Pages/BSHM.aspx?_cldee=bGliYnloaWxsMUBhb2wuY29t

Nasen Live 2013 - 22nd to 23rd May

2013-04-28T16:02:00.001+01:00

Nasen is delighted that the Department for Education (DfE) has agreed to host briefing sessions at Nasen Live 2013. DfE officials working to revise the SEN Code or Practice and develop the new single SEN category (to replace School Action and School Action Plus) will be in attendance on both days to give an update and discuss the thinking behind the changes. These sessions are free

Giving Voice: Birmingham City Style!

2013-04-23T20:34:00.001+01:00

It's always fantastic to see enthusiasm and drive and even more so when it's associated with a really important topic! Speech therapy transforms lives!! <

Why should you talk to a baby?

2013-04-21T20:52:00.003+01:00

I've just come back from a restaurant in Uttoxeter where families are encouraged (Helen Stretton is cringing now after the last time I mentioned someone she knew by co-incidence!). On an adjacent table were 6 adults and baby in a high chair at the end. I would say the baby was about 6-8 months. They had no toys for him to play with and didn't talk to him at all for the half hour we sat near

Speech Therapy transforms lives

2013-03-06T09:06:00.000Z

We need to be shouting about this. No-one else can do what we do. Have a look at this from some de Montford students who are saying that their way....

Developing your therapy business

2013-02-17T12:41:00.000Z

Setting up a business is fairly straight forwards and there may be start up workshops or in the case of Speech and language therapy, ASLTIP run a very successful introduction to setting up in independent practice. But what next? Here is often the more difficult part and where potentially money can be wasted and hours can be mis-spent. I have been lucky enough to have set up and developed

Do you know about two year old's speech, language and communication?

2013-02-13T15:04:00.000Z

If you are in the Stafford area and work with 0-3 year olds, you are welcome to attend some free training. 19th April 1pm - 3pm at Silkmore children's Centre. By the end of the session participants will: be able to describe the development of speech, language and communication skills in children under 3 years to be able to understand the processes of pre-verbal and early verbal

National Story-telling week

2013-01-27T20:19:00.003Z

This week will mark National Storytelling Week. It’s the twelfth such annual event run by the Society for Storytelling. And it’s storytelling, note, not story reading which will be happening at events in schools, libraries, theatres, cafés and other public spaces all week. There are festivals and celebrations every day until and including 4 February. The impressive list of events is on the

Do you wish you knew more about how to help your child's language and communication?

2013-01-26T17:14:00.000Z

Lets talk with Under 5's is an accredited course delivered over six two-hour workshops with an optional seventh which explores phonology. Who is the course for? This course is relevant to all parents of pre-school children, carers (including child minders) and pre-school practitioners wanting some key skills and knowledge. Completion of this course can lead to exploring the issues involved

Babies do need more books and less TV!

2013-01-24T22:09:00.001Z

Annette Karmiloff-Smith said on Radio 4 yesterday that babies learn from TV more than books. Now, may be this just a lady who is looking for some attention, working on the old premise that any publicity is good publicity BUT this is such an important topic and one which will keep cropping up over and over. Let's set the record straight: Babies can't learn to communicate from TV, they

Please vote!

2013-01-21T12:38:00.000Z

My Dad told me, at quite a young age, that the more staff you have, the more hassles you get. So I'm really lucky with the ladies I have on my team. There are many reasons why I love working with each of them: Georgina, Helen, the 2 Deborahs, Franky, Kirsty, Alison, Dee, Tasha, Nikki and Nicky. I am grateful to each for helping me do what I do. Nicky and I have worked together for some

Communication break down in a big way!

2013-01-07T09:58:00.000Z

I have just spent a fabulous week in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The weather was hot, sunny and a major change from the cold, wet drizzle from which I had escaped. It was relaxing, refreshing and a world away from work.... except in a way it wasn't really, as there was communication break down to a major degree. There are around 5,000 Russians who arrive weekly into the area. At present

Why the Children's Centres need Smart Talkers Pre-School Communication groups

2013-01-03T12:07:00.000Z

I've been looking at the facts and figures to inform my presentation for the next round of the tender process and I wanted to share these with you: Why is there a need for early intervention? Good communication impacts positively on learning and vice versa A child’s language skills at aged 5 years predict educational success and outcomes aged 30 (Feinstein & Duckworth, 2006) At 22 months

The challenges of a speech and language therapy student

2012-12-28T10:55:00.000Z

by Gemma Biles Recently Libby contacted me and asked me if I would like a chance to write a guest blog for the Smart Talkers blog and without a second thought I jumped at the opportunity. Then I realised I had no idea what to blog about. When discussing this with friends they said “Gemma, isn’t your blog about the challenges you have as a SLT student? Why don’t you write about your

Christmas - No Surprises Please: I have ASD!

2012-12-22T19:30:00.003Z

by Geoff Evans, Head of Quality Improvement, Options Group Introduction If asked what we like about Christmas many of us would reply with "the surprise presents", "the many different foods", "not having to engage in normal daily living routines", "socialising" and "meeting different people". These are the things that make Christmas so special. For the individual with autism these are the

Happy Christmas

2012-12-21T10:07:00.000Z

Happy Christmas to all our friends, clients and followers! We don't send out Christmas cards, as for several years, we have done a monthly donation to Cancer Research UK instead. We hope you understand. We are looking forwards to an exciting year with lots of new plans. Watch this space! Love from Libby, Franky, Helen, Georgina, Nicky, Nikki, Dee, Deb, Alison, Kirsty and Tasha!

Looking for a quality activity for a Monday morning in Stafford? Come to Stories and Songs

2012-12-17T12:13:00.001Z

We are delighted to announce a new group suitable for all pre-school children: 'Stories and Songs' on Monday mornings 9.30-10.15 at Stafford Children's Centre from Monday 14th January 2013.. The programme is written by language experts and delivered by Nicky Johns, a Mum of 4 and experienced Smart Talkers professional. The sessions are exactly what they say i.e Stories and Songs but with

When a child has a statement that is not being followed

2012-12-16T17:27:00.001Z

We've got a case at the moment where we know that a school is not keeping to the recommendations of the child's statement.Our difficulty is that the teacher and TA have confided in the parent but the head and the authority are adamant that the little girl is getting what she needs. They are so adamant that they are refusing to let the NHS SLT in the classroom (although she is welcome after