Speech and language therapists host drop-in sessions for local parents
Local parents who have any concerns about their children's speech and language skills are invited to come and meet local specialists at a series of free drop-in sessions taking place across Medway.
At the sessions, speech and language therapists from Medway Community Healthcare will be available with valuable advice and tips on encouraging children, aged up to 5 years old, to develop their language and communication skills.
"Communication skills are a critical part of every child's development and parents play a vital role in helping develop their children's skills. This is particularly important where parents may have concerns about their child's speech or language skills,” explained Pranali Shah, children's speech and language therapist at Medway Community Healthcare.
This year, the National Year of Communication, has seen a focus on increasing the understanding of the importance for children and young people to develop strong communication skills.
Each year, Medway Community Healthcare's children's speech and language therapy team support around 700 local children and their parents. The drop-in sessions, being held at Children's Centres in Medway(see link below), are an informal chance for parents and their children to talk through any concerns and discuss ways to help their children develop more confident communication skills.
One little girl who has benefitted from specialist support from the speech and language team is Ruby aged 3, from Twydall. Ruby's mum Charlotte explains more,
"My concerns about Ruby's speech started over a year ago when, aged 2, she was not really speaking very much apart from just a few words. I spoke to my health visitor about my worries and she arranged an appointment with a speech and language therapist for Ruby and I.
"Ruby and I now have a series of activities that we complete every day that are helping Ruby to communicate better and learn more words and also to be able to express her emotions too.
"For each topic area we have an activity based session every week for six weeks with our speech and language therapist Laura Steere followed by six weeks where we continue the activities at home. We use different activities ranging from picture and word cards to reading storybooks.
"The biggest change in Ruby is her understanding of instructions and being able to express herself better. She really enjoys the activities and seems much less isolated now that she can join in more.
"I am so grateful for the help and support that Laura has given both Ruby and I. Ruby has just a started nursery school and Laura also spends time with her there now too. It is brilliant to see Ruby gaining confidence, learning and using more words and taking part in activities.”
"It is great to see how much progress Ruby has made and to see the improvements in her understanding of language. She is also using a picture communication system that means she can express her choices, which in turn relieves her frustration and helps her interact with other people,” explained Laura Steel, speech and language therapist.
"Children like Ruby really benefit from the activities and parents have a vital role to play in ensuring that this continues at home.”
Pranali concluded,
"I would encourage parents to come along to one of the sessions and find out more about ways to ensure their children get any help they need.
"Better communications skills will benefit their children by giving them the skills to interact with other children and enjoy socialising.”
Speech and language drop-in sessions
Just click on a green marker for details of the times and venues for each drop-in session.
View Speech and language therapy drop-in sessions in a larger map