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Talk To Your Baby highlights communication consequences
1 Nov 2007
At a conference on Monday 26 November the National Literacy Trust’s early language initiative, Talk To Your Baby (TTYB), will discuss how early communication skills are crucial, not least as a prerequisite for social inclusion.
The arguments for more early communication work in local areas will be considered as influential speakers reflect on the latest academic thinking and consider the wider picture.
Janet Cooper from Stoke Speaks Out and Rita Wiseman from Sandwell’s Time to Talk programme will provide a focus on practical multi-agency initiatives and speak about how they are tackling language and communication issues in their areas.
Liz Attenborough, TTYB manager, commented,
Communication Consequences will provide an opportunity for early years practitioners to challenge their own thi nking on communication practice with a particular focus on social inclusion. National and local initiatives, including the recently launched Health-Led Parenting Support Project, will feature alongside academic and reflective thi nking to provide a holistic context. Language is the key to learning, and the ability to communicate well is the basis of social and emotional well-being.”
As recent research* clearly states, “early years provision has to do better in reaching the most disadvantaged… giving far greater priority to reducing low achievement would represent money and effort well spent, for the individuals concerned and for society at large”.
*R Cassen and G Kindon (2007), Tackling low educational achievement, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Communication Consequences is supported by Nursery World and BT.
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. About Communication Consequences conference
Communication Consequences is a reflective conference from TTYB to help communication practice. It takes place at Savoy Place in London on Monday 26 November 2007. It is designed for anyone working with families with young children.
2. About Talk To Your Baby
Talk To Your Baby is a campaign run by the National Literacy Trust to encourage parents and carers to talk more to children from birth to three. For more information visit www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk.
3. Talk To Your Baby - background
There is growing concern that increasing numbers of children are suffering from communication difficulties, and teachers and nursery workers feel young children’s speaking and listening skills are on the decline. One of the contributing factors is believed to be the lack of time adults and young children spend talking together. In a survey of heads of nurseries and schools admitting three-year-olds, 75% said they are concerned about a significant decline in children’s language competence at entry (National Literacy Trust/National Association of Head Teachers survey, 2001).
Among nursery workers, 89% are worried that the occurrence of speech, language and communication difficulties amongst pre-school children is growing. The lack of adult and child time spent talking together was highlighted as the key reason by 92% of them (ICAN, 2004).
4. About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that changes lives through literacy. It links home, school and the wider community to inspire learners and create opportunities for everyone. www.literacytrust.org.uk
