Speech and language videos – Practical strategies for Early Years

Written By:
Jenny Hillier
Subject:
Speech and language

Enhance your understanding of speech and language development and learn practical strategies to foster these skills in young learners with these speech and language videos featuring speech and language expert Jenny Hillier...

In Early Years, speech and language development plays a pivotal role in a child’s overall cognitive and social growth.

However, many children face challenges in this area, hindering their ability to communicate effectively.

Yellow Door has collaborated with Jenny to address these concerns. These speech and language videos contain invaluable guidance for practitioners and teachers, using these playful nursery rhyme rollers.

How young children learn language

Key takeaways

Language development begins from birth
Back-and-forth exchanges lay the foundation for language development
Speech and language development continues through social interaction
Parents don’t cause speech and language delays, but adults in their lives can help them progress

Benefits of using nursery rhymes

Key takeaways

Actions encourage active participation to support vocabulary development
Nursery rhymes are verbal routines that make language predictable
Rhythm and rhyme develop phonological awareness
The familiarity of nursery rhymes helps children visualise the story
Nursery rhymes are fun and this has a positive impact on learning

Milestones for 3-to-4-year-olds

Speech versus language

Language refers to the understanding and use of words
Speech refers to the pronunciation of sounds in words

Key takeaways

Attention is single-channelled, making it difficult to shift focus
Follows instructions with three pieces of information
Retells stories using short, simple sentences
Understands basic WH questions and responds simply
Understands simple concepts and opposites
Speech is 75 to 90% intelligible
May still have a lisp: ‘tar’ for ‘car’ or ‘bish’ for fish, etc

Milestones for 4-to-5-year-olds

Key takeaways

Attention is more dual-channelled
Understands basic why and how questions, but may still find them tricky to answer
Comprehends sequencing terms – first, next, last etc.
Uses more adult-like grammar – some errors may still be present, eg “fighted”
Sentences are spoken with five words at a time
Will join in and retell short stories
Speech is 90 to 100% intelligible
May still say ‘bider’ for ‘spider’ or ‘wed’ for red, etc

Developing speech and language skills for 3-to-4-year-olds

Top 5 strategies

Reduce questions asked and model language – narrate what you are doing and add language to their experiences
Avoid correcting errors – model and repeat the correct production instead – “ssssstar!”
OWL – observe, wait and listen. Respond with interest – this will hold attention for longer
Pause and allow children to fill in the gap – “twinkle twinkle little…”
Hold objects up to your mouth as you talk so children see how your mouth moves

Developing speech and language skills for 4-to-5-year-olds

Top 5 strategies

Support sequencing skills - use time concepts “first, next, last” as you play
Produce tricky words - clap out a word like “De-li-cious”
Support their ability to answer questions. Try “I wonder why…” and model your thought processes – “I think…”
Understanding tricky words – use synonyms like “spotted” and relate it to their own lives
Use words you’ve discussed in a different context to support understanding

Supporting reluctant talkers

Key takeaways

Reluctant talkers are children who use their voice freely at home but struggle to use their voice outside of the home.

Reduce your questions and try commenting on their activity with no pressure to respond
Use lead-in phrases which may encourage them to use their voice
Accept and acknowledge all forms of communication
Support their confidence in using their voice