Working with Children’s Language: A Practical Resource for Early Years Professionals

This revised and updated second edition of Working with Children’s Language has been created to support practitioners who work with young children with delayed language acquisition.

Rooted in a developmental theory of language learning, it covers topics such as attention control and listening, the role of play, verbal comprehension and the acquisition of spoken expressive language. Each chapter offers a straightforward overview of current research relating to the specific language skill before introducing a wealth of targeted games and activities that can help support the development of those skills.

Key features include:

• A structured approach to language learning that can be followed as a programme or adapted for informal use by individual practitioners.

• Accessible activities, games and ideas suitable for small group or individual intervention, linked to specific aims based on developmental norms.

• Photocopiable and downloadable resources, including a record sheet to track progress in each skill against aims and outcomes for individual children.

Clearly linking theory and practice in an engaging and easy-to-follow format, this is an invaluable resource to support children in early years settings and Key Stage 1 whose language is delayed, but who are otherwise developing normally. It is a must-have book for early years practitioners, teachers, SEND professionals and speech and language therapists with varying levels of experience.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Early Communication Skills

Chapter 2: Attention Control and Listening Skills

Chapter 3: The Role of Play

Chapter 4: The Development of Verbal Comprehension

Chapter 5: The Acquisition of Expressive Language

Appendix 1: Summary of Developmental Stages

Appendix 2: Photocopiable Images

Appendix 3: Resources

Appendix 4: Useful Addresses

Appendix 5: Bibliography