What help will my child get in school?

There are a number of ways that we can help children with speech and language difficulties at Queensmead.

Classroom Strategies

There are a number of children at Queensmead who experience difficulties with some aspect of language: our teachers and teaching assistants have training and experience in how to use strategies in the classroom to help.

These strategies include:

Using visual timetables and activity picture cards to give children visual reminders about what is happening during the day or to help them to make choices.
Using clear, simple, language and not confusing children by speaking in sentences that use too many or too complex words.
Working on vocabulary with the children. Explaining new words and helping the children to find ways to remember them and use them correctly.
Chunking instructions or learning, so that children are not having to remember too many verbal instructions at once.
Using memory aids and strategies, such as Talking Tins, where children can record a sentence they want to write, then play it back as they write so that they don't forget it.

Let's Talk Groups

Queensmead may offer a group intervention called Let's Talk for children with language difficulties.

This is particularly aimed at children who have problems with understanding what other people say (eg. following instructions) or with expressing themselves in language (eg. finding the right words or getting words in the right order).

Funtime Groups

In Foundation Stage (F1 and F2) this specific intervention may be used to support younger pupils.

Funtime is a small group programme for groups of 3-4 children that focuses particularly on developing language and social skills. During sessions, children sing a welcome song, play some games and sing a goodbye song. A visual timetable is used to show the children what they are going to do and help them to understand the sequence of activities.

Our Foundation children love their Funtime sessions!