Supporting Your Child’s Communication

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At Briary Pre-School, all staff are trained in ECAT (Every Child A Talker). This programme helps children develop strong communication skills through everyday activities, play, and positive interaction. Here’s how we support children:

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• Get Their Attention First: Make eye contact, get down to their level, and say their name before speaking.

• Use Simple, Clear Language: Describe everyday actions and repeat key words slowly.

• Expand on What They Say: Add one or two words to their sentence to model richer language.

• Imitate Their Words: Repeat their sentences to show you value their communication.

• Model, Don’t Criticise: Correct errors gently by modelling the correct words naturally.

• Give Time to Respond: Pause to allow children to think and answer, maintaining eye contact.

• Engage the Senses: Use touch, smell, songs, rhymes, and objects to teach new words.

• Make Learning Fun: Experiment with sounds, words, and playful conversations to encourage language.

• Ask Thoughtful Questions: Use questions that encourage thinking rather than just one-word answers.

• Use Voice, Gestures, and Expressions: Speak expressively and use gestures to help children understand meaning.

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Why It Matters:

Consistent support for communication helps children build confidence, curiosity, and social skills. Parents are encouraged to reinforce these strategies at home through conversation, play, reading, and singing.