They have been created by not-for-profit organisation Commtap and are aimed at supporting teachers, speech and language therapists (SLTs), and parents/carers.
The online resources and supporting videos are being made freely available between now and August this year and align with the national curriculum.
They include daily activities that model a “little and often” approach and aim to build children’s confidence, reduce frustration, and support quick progress.
It is thought that SLCNs affect two to three children in every mainstream classroom – around 1.4 million UK children.
The new resources are categorised into three areas:
- Area of communication: Language expression, language understanding, social skills and speech.
- Categorisation scale: Resources to support P Scales/curriculum levels, TAP Scale, pre-curriculum/national curriculum and phonological awareness.
- Resource packs: Speech sound resource packs including teaching tips and activities to support primary-aged children.
The packs can be used by families or SLTs independently or as part of collaborative work with schools. They focus on speech (development of sounds) and language (concepts), offering access to 50 speech sound packs and 10 packs on additional language concepts. There are practical activities including advice on how to incorporate learning into general conversations and daily routines.
Louise Ryves, speech and language therapist at Commtap and author of the resources, said: “Speech, language and communication needs can have significant knock-on impacts on children’s learning, friendships and mental health. We’ve designed these packs to build children’s confidence through easy to follow and engaging activities that support everyday communication.
“They are not designed to replace crucial speech and language therapy but instead provide a framework that will help SLTs, teachers and families with general communication support, as well as providing free, easily accessible resources for those who are waiting for a referral or access to specialist speech and language therapy.”
Commtap provides free online tools and resources that teachers, SLTs, and parents/carers can use to support and develop children speech, language, and communication. Commtap is supported by Barts Health Community Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service, Tower Hamlets Education, and Canary Wharf Group.
To download the free online activity packs for early years and primary aged children, visit www.commtap.org/resource-packs-ey and www.commtap.org/resource-packs-primary