Developing Language Concepts: Programmes for School-Aged Children

This book is a valuable resource for all speech language therapists, teachers and support assistants working with children in schools and community clinics. It provides practical, step-by-step photocopiable programmes to help with specific language concepts, such as amount, colour, size, time and shape. The programmes are intended for speech language therapists to copy and send to the school where staff can deliver the programmes, although they can be used by the therapist themselves.

Clearly set out, the exercises can be personalised for each child and are graded so that the therapist can select and copy the sheets relevant to the child's needs. Each programme introduces the concept, teaches it and then checks to see if the child understands it. The programmes are structured as follows:

• Aim
• Method
• Introduction of the concept word
• Encouraging awareness of the concept
• Teaching understanding of the concept
• Consolidating understanding of the concept
• Checking understanding of the concept
• Generalising understanding of the concept through carryover

There is also practical advice on setting up therapy programmes in schools, such as setting up appointments, working in the school with children, staff and parents, covering letters to send with the programme, how to write programmes and many other useful tips.

Table of Contents

Front Matter

• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Concept Levels tables

Level 1

• Amount
• General Concepts
• Place
• Shape
• Size
• Time

Level 2

• Amount
• Colour
• General Concepts
• Place
• Shape
• Size
• Time

Level 3

• Amount
• Colour
• General Concepts
• Place
• Shape
• Size
• Time

Appendices

• 1A - Speech and language therapy programme
• 1B - Worked example
• 2 - School evaluation form
• 3A - Tasks & objectives
• 3B - Worked example
• 4 - Tracking progress of concepts
• Top tips for those working with the concept programmes

"This book will be a welcome resource to therapists as it provided a time efficient method of delivering a programme in schools and promotes a much greater exchange of information between professionals. It is a refreshing approach to team working practises."
- Alison Taylor, Karen Shuttleworth, Speech & Language Therapy, Cumbria Primary Care Trust