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In every setting there are children who struggle to communicate. When they’re not talking, or only using a handful of words, it can be hard to know how to help. In this book, you’ll be encouraged to spot early moments of communication and respond with clarity. You’ll find an invitation to stop doing and start noticing, to try new things and collaborate with the team around you.
The book presents key concepts in bite-size chunks, with a wealth of real-life examples from speech therapy sessions and early years settings. It explores practical strategies to help children develop their foundational speech, language and communication skills, and includes fresh ideas to:
Communication is core to our sense of wellbeing, personal agency and belonging. With a focus on fostering joyful moments of connection, this book offers a fresh perspective and a dose of encouragement for all early years practitioners, speech and language therapists, SENCOs and key people looking to support positive communication development in the children in their care.
Useful links
Bibliography
Index
"Bryony’s book is an absolute must-read for any parent, teacher, professional, educator or caregiver looking to better connect and communicate with children, especially non-verbal or neurodivergent kids. This wonderfully practical and accessible guide is filled with creative strategies to try, garnered from Bryony’s own practice and research. Her friendly, understanding and non-judgemental tone throughout the book helps to put you at your ease as you embark on the journey of tuning into your child's world, whether you have a verbal child, a late talker, or a child with additional needs. Bryony invites us to reflect on what makes our best interactions and relationships so special and reminds us that these sacred spaces of connection should be the core aim for speech therapy, not chasing arbitrary targets. You'll be liberated to slow down, let the child take the lead, and embrace any and all forms of communication that arise naturally through play. This book will help you to reflect on your interactions and expand your understanding of what it means to communicate meaningfully with children. I highly recommend this brilliant book - it's an investment in deepening your bond with your child in beautifully life-changing ways."
- Kathy Brodie, Early Years consultant and founder of Early Years TV
"A witty, compassionate and honest guide to nurturing communication. This book is for all non-speaking children and any person who supports them. Bryony’s strength based view of ability shines through whilst offering quality exercises and reflections to try out in practice."
- Lyra Wright, Early Childhood Teacher
"This is a glorious, gentle book that will be supportive, accepting and inspiring to parents/carers and professionals. A book that truly encourages us to place the child at the centre of care but also that and acknowledges the challenging, but oh so valuable, role of parents and carers."
- Suzanne Churcher, Speech and Language Therapist and Lecturer, University of Sheffield
"Bryony writes from a personal and experienced perspective as a Speech and Language Therapist with joy, passion and insight. Her advice is approachable and compassionate."
- Louise Coigley, Speech and Language Therapist, Lis’n Tell: Live Inclusive Storytelling
"Bryony lays out a perspective shift for how to follow a child's lead and increase connection and joy to facilitate communication. From child-led therapy, to observing the child, to being a communication partner that follows (rather than leads), this book lays out the 'how to' of interaction that is fun, playful and facilitates language and connection for the children we work with."
- Sarah Lockhart, M.S. CCC-SLP, SLP Happy Hour
"What a joy to read. I urge anyone of whatever level of experience, to read this book. From initial Speech and Language Therapy training to CPD, it will encourage your reflective practice and make you an even better you. Bryony’s book helps to peel back the layers to find (or rediscover) the important core when supporting non-speaking children. It emphasises the importance of the child, waiting for them to lead and being ok with silence. Through recognisable examples, Bryony shows us how we can word things differently, refocussing on small things that can make a big difference, providing many practical ‘take homes’ throughout. This book reminds us to ‘trust in the value of what the child shows you’; I am grateful for the reminder and for this gift of a book."
- Sarah Parsons, Speech and Language Therapist, Redriff Primary City of London Academy
"This book really made me reflect on my own practice with families and children (not just non-speaking ones). Bryony has crafted something that is accessible and full of optimism, while being frank about the challenges. Addressing so many of the questions and challenges that families and practitioners ask about, in a non-judgemental, practical, kind way, this is useful reading for parents, family members, practitioners and SLTs alike. I really loved the suggestions on goal setting, strength-based descriptions of communication and the practical strategies. I'm never going to be able to listen to Daft Punk again without thinking of the washing machine song!"
- Rachel Tuckely, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Sound Talk Speech and Language Therapy Ltd
"A breath of fresh air. Focussing on the relationship first, Bryony sets out thoughts, frameworks and strategies that are child-led, celebratory and meaningful – focussing on connection, collaboration and most importantly, fun! Using examples and analogies throughout, she explores a range of considerations and urges us to think about things differently - including the importance of co-regulation, shifting our language to be more strengths based, and embracing awkward silences! As she rightly states, communication is "about so much more than words.""
- Frances Johnstone, Founder and Director of Therapy Links UK CIC, Principal Speech and Language Therapist
"This wonderful little book is a fabulous storied account of the ethos of supporting and scaffolding shared moments of connection with people. It is beautifully written, and absorbed quickly and easily. I will recommend it to every speech and language therapy student that I meet. The principles and strategies apply, not just to children in the early years, but to anyone who finds communication difficult at any time in their lives."
- Jo Sandiford, Senior Lecturer and Speech and Language Therapist, Leeds
