Speech and language therapy (community) advice

Is your child starting school soon?

This film, made by our community speech and language therapy team, will give you some ideas of how to support them as they make this transition.

Voice-over: Starting school is an exciting step for every child, but it can feel daunting too. If your child needs some extra help with their language and communication, there are lots of practical things you can do to help them prepare. This film, made by speech and language therapists from Evelina London, takes you through some ideas step by step. Sharing information. Share as much information as you can with the school about your child, what they find hard and what helps them. A communication passport is a simple way of doing this.

Parent: Things Lucy likes.

Parent: What does she like doing?

Parent: Colouring?

Parent: She likes sitting at her desk colouring yes.

Voice-over: Ask your speech and language therapist for one or you can make one of your own. With your consent the therapist can also share information with the school about how to support your child. Talk about feelings. Help your child share their feelings about starting and being at school.

Parent signing: Excited about school? Or are you sad about school? Are you sad?

Voice-over: Even if your child can talk fluently it's helpful to use visual supports as part of daily routines to help them understand and express themselves. Visual supports can be objects, pictures, signs such as Makaton, written words or a combination of these. Practise wearing uniform. Show your child their new school uniform

Parent: You're going to be wearing your uniform yeah!

Voice-over: Practise putting it on and taking it off. Your child might also need help practising with their shoes and coat too.

Parent: And then let's pull it from your hands because it's easier to take off that way and just bring your hands out of it. There you go!

Voice-over: Practise the new home routine. So Annabelle this morning we have had our breakfast, we have brushed your teeth and you have gotten dressed as well. Practise your new morning routine and journey to school.

Parent: So now we are going to pack your school bag. Do you want to get your book and put it in your bag? Do you want to put your bottle in your bag as well and your cuddly toy. Awesome! So now that you're ready for school,we are now going to go to school on the school bus.This is the way to the bus stop to get the bus to go to your school. So that is going to be your school there, and that building there is for the juniors

Voice-over: Talk about the school day.

Parent: You'll be doing PE.

Voice-over: Ask the school what a typical day might be like so you can help your child prepare. What activities will they be doing at school? You can help them learn new words like PE, assembly and book bag

Parent: And should we look at this story? Look, this is a story about someone called Mohamed starting school. He's got to put his school uniform on. He's got to wear a red jumper like your jumper.

Voice-over: Talk about people. Practise the names of their new teachers.

Parent: That's your teacher, do you know what her name is?

Child: Ms Shantelle.

Parent: Ms Shantelle, well done!

Voice-over: Your school might have sent you some pictures or maybe their website has staff photos on it. Practise using the toilet.Help your child practise how to ask for the toilet and what to do when they get there. Help your child practise washing their hands.

Parent: Rub your hands with some soap, rinse your hands, turn the tap off and dry your hands

Voice-over: Talk about lunch time. Will your child have a school dinner or a packed lunch? Lots of schools have their dinner menu online so you can talk to your child about the different meals and what they might want to have for lunch. Sing songs.

Parent: Do you want Incy Wincy Spider or The Wheels on the Bus?

Child: The Wheels on the Bus.

Voice-over: Singing songs will help your child build their confidence to join in at carpet time.

Child and parent: The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round the wheels on the bus go round and round all through the town.

Voice-over: Practise joining in. Teach your child some playground games. If you have older children at home they might be able to help.

Parent: And then I'll open my eyes and come and find you. Okay? Good.

Parent: I'm coming to get you!

Voice-over: Help your child practise phrases they could use like, can I play, I don't like it or it's my turn.

Parent: We are going to practise how to join in with your new friends at school. Okay? Good. Say hello to Mr Fox.

Child: Hello, Mr Fox.

Parent: Hello Kaydon. Can I play Kaydon?

Child: Yes you can.

Parent: Thank you.

Voice-over: Tidy up time. Practise tidying up together. Not all children will be able to do all of these things when they start school, but if you can practise just a couple of these things every day, you will be helping your child be more prepared to start school. Which activities are you going to try out at home? All through the town. If you need more tips do talk to your speech and language therapist or go to our website or Facebook page where you'll find lots of resources, links and ideas from us and from other parents and carers. We hope you found this film useful. Good luck starting school.

Talk and play guides

Our 'Talk and play every day' guides provide information about supporting speech and language development in your child's early years.

Developing language in young babies: 0 to six months (PDF 398Kb)

Developing language in babies: six to 12 months (PDF 398Kb)

Developing language in toddlers: one to two years (PDF 449Kb)

Developing language in young children: two years plus (PDF 318Kb)

Keep your language alive (PDF 331Kb) – a guide to every day language development for bilingual children.

Read and rhyme language development (PDF 250KB) – a guide to language development in children using reading and rhyming.

Switch it off and talk together (PDF 554Kb) – children learn best through talk and play, but this guide has some tips for making the most of TV and computer games for speech and language development.

Useful websites

National Literacy Trust provides information for parents to help their children develop vital communication and literacy skills, from birth to age 11.

Talking Point provides information about the importance of communication, communication development and disability.

Afasic is a charity aimed at supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments, their families and the professionals working with them.

I CAN aims to ensure children with a communication difficulty can access the support they need, offering training as well as a range of books and DVDs.

National Autistic Society provides information on all aspects of autism, including strategies and approaches you can use in a variety of settings.

National Deaf Children’s Society provides information and resources about all aspects of deafness, including events for deaf children and their families.

Down's Syndrome Association provides information and support on living with Down’s syndrome.

Dyspraxia Foundation is a UK based charity which helps people understand and cope with all types of dyspraxia.

Infant and Toddler Forum offers practical advice from experts on all aspects of eating and drinking, including factsheets and useful videos.

MENCAP is a learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

Scope provides information, education and care for disabled people and their families.

Bliss offers help and support for parents of premature and sick babies.

British Stammering Association provides information and support on stammering.

Michael Palin Centre offers specialist services to children and young people who stammer from all over the UK.

Contact a Family provides advice, information and support to families with disabled children across the UK.

Family Information Directory provides information about local children’s services, including parenting support, childcare, activities, schools, healthcare, or services for children with special needs.

Communication Matters is a UK-wide organisation committed to supporting people who have little or no speech. They offer information on methods of communication which can be used to supplement spoken communication.

Makaton is a unique language programme offering a structured, multi-modal approach, using signs and symbols, for the teaching of communication, language and literacy skills for people with communication and learning difficulties. This website provides information on resources and training available for parents, carers and professionals.

Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) provides information on independent speech and language therapists throughout the UK.

Health and Care Professions Council is the regulatory body for health professionals, ensuring speech and language therapists meet a high standard of training and professional skills.

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK, providing leadership and setting professional standards.