Dear Parent/Guardian,
Speech & Language Therapist Kerry Mulholland (Small Talk NI ) is currently working with Primary 1-3 children in St. Mary’s, helping to develop their understanding of language, expressive language skills and speech sounds. Kerry also focuses on developing phonological awareness which is needed for developing both reading and clear speech.
On Monday 17th May at 7pm, Kerry will deliver a Parent Workshop via Zoom, to help parents develop their own skills in fostering great interaction and promoting speech and language development. The workshop will focus on the processes involved in successful communication, and how best to help in a fun and relaxed way! The workshop promises to be a very interactive and enjoyable session.
We strongly recommend parents of children in P1-3 or those families who have pre-schoolers at home to avail of this fantastic training.
With increasing numbers of children starting school with poor speech and communication skills, it is essential that we support young children’s language development in the early years.
Speech, language and communication skills are crucial to young children’s overall development. Being able to speak clearly and process speech sounds, to understand others, to express ideas and interact with others are fundamental building blocks for a child’s development. Research suggests that good communication, language and literacy at a young age have the highest correlation with outcomes at school.
Speech and language skills underpin many other areas of children’s development by:
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providing a strong foundation for other areas of learning, such as reading and writing and enabling access to the whole curriculum
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supporting communication skills
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promoting social skills and forming friendships
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building confidence and self-esteem
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supporting emotional and behavioural development
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helping children to make sense of the world around them.
If you would like to participate in the Parent Workshop,“Promoting Communication Skills at Home” with Kerry, please complete and return the Reply Slip sent home with your child or alternatively contact the school for more information. A link will be sent to all parents wishing to attend. Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Louise Quinn
