Literacy news
Kheli-Boli ("Play-talk") Sure Start project
10 Sep 2008
The speech and language therapy team at Sure Start Ocean Estate and Afasic (which represents and supports children with speech and language impairments) have developed the Kheli-Boli ("Play-Talk") project in Tower Hamlets, London. It uses themed bags containing books, toys and activities to promote early language development in families (mainly Bangladeshi) who have English as a second language. The bags also help make the link between the culture experienced at home and the expectations of an English nursery setting, where the emphasis is on play as a learning tool. There is no tradition in Bangladeshi culture of parents playing with children and especially not with toys. The activities have also proved useful in helping speech and language therapists identify children in need of specialist intervention. The idea was based on the Bangla Bag scheme developed by Sunderland ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) team.
For more information contact Sure Start on 0870 0002288 or visit http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/earlyyears/surestart/whatsurestartdoes/.
