Beginning Language

Building Blocks to Language:
A Language, Communication & Social Skills Class for Toddlers & Pre-schoolers

*Enrolment now on, groups beginning in JULY 2008*
* Speak Jennifer or Grace 6466 8090 for details or for an application to be emailed to you*

Parents often ask, “What can I do to help my child talk?”  This toddler group therapy is designed to encourage expressive language skills in very young children that need a little extra help.

Led by a speech-language pathologist, assisted by teaching assistants and other allied health such as occupational therapists, group of tots foster relationships that build communication. Playful activities are structured to help children learn how to use words and phrases for communication.

This group works on establishing pre-requisite to communication such as eye contact, attention, imitation, communicative turn-taking, learning to requesting by pointing, through to vocalizing and spontaneous use of single words or short phrases to express intentions.

As sessions develop, objectives would include use of appropriate language and social behaviour in soliciting another’s attention. Learning to ask and forming simple questions as well as listening to others when they speak.  Social skills component and objectives could include such as cooperating with peers, turn taking and negotiating.

Children join in language-based activities that are designed to stimulate communication and social interaction. In this supported environment, verbal and physical prompts are utilized to encouraged children to show, invite, share, greet and negotiate. Over time, therapist support is faded as children begin to use their skills spontaneously.

Enrolment Please speak to our clinical coordinator Jennifer or Grace Yap, our case manager to see if your child require screening by our speech-language pathologist or paediatrician prior to joining the group.

Format Group Session (max of 6 children to 2 professionals)

Frequency  Once or twice weekly for a total of 12 sessions, each session for 1.5 hours