Coalition Partners

I CAN has assembled a cross-sector coalition of organisations and individuals who have united to Make Chatter Matter. Specifically, this coalition campaigns to ensure that children’s communication development is a national priority and that good communication skills are at the core of UK policy for children. These organisations and individuals are backing Make Chatter Matter because of the life-long, wide-ranging implications of poor communication on individuals, families and society. These are:

action for children

www.actionforchildren.org.uk

Afasic

 

www.afasic.org.uk

BIBIC

http://www.bibic.org.uk

BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities)

"Everyone at BILD believes that communication is fundamental for learning and development in the early years. Without communication, children struggle to make friends and develop relationships, and it makes it so much harder to learn to make choices and decisions".
Keith Smith (Chief Executive)

www.bild.org.uk

British Association of Teachers of the Deaf

Paul Simpson, secretary, British Association of Teachers of the Deaf, said: "Successful language development depends on effective communication from birth – and this is very much the case for deaf children where the importance of meaningful interaction cannot be overestimated. The ICAN Make Chatter Matter campaign underlines this in a clear and informative way. Whether the ‘chatter’ is though speech or through sign language it is a vital part of all deaf children’s linguistic development. For this reason BATOD is delighted to support the ICAN campaign and welcomes this excellent initiative."

www.batod.org.uk

BT Education Programme

Dave Hancock, head of education and volunteering, BT said: “Reaching children in the crucial early years so that they start school ready to learn and able to join in is key. We are delighted to be partners with I CAN, who have pioneered supporting and promoting the communication development of pre-school children. This partnership will also strengthen our commitment to help everyone in the UKunderstand and enjoy the benefits of improved interpersonal communication skills.”

www.bteducation.org

Campaign for Learning

 

www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk

Carers UK

www.carersuk.org

CBI

Susan Anderson, Director of Human Resources Policy, CBI: "Good communication skills are absolutely essential to succeed in life and in work. Employers need people who are confident and articulate communicators to work with customers and colleagues effectively and poor communication skills adversely affect the chance of acquiring other skills vital for success at work. The cost of poor basic skills is huge - for society and the economy as a whole. We are supporting Make Chatter Matter because it’s important that every child has the best opportunity to succeed."

www.cbi.org.uk

Children Now

Donna Murphy, Editor of Children Now, said: “Being able to understand and being understood is the most important ingredient to a fulfilling and happy life which is why we must make sure children are supported during those crucial early years – when these skills are developing –because without it they’re at risk of low self esteem, academic failure and psychological harm. Children Now supports I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign because we share the view that everyone working with children and families need the skills, knowledge and confidence to support children’s speech and language development.”

www.childrennow.co.uk

Communication Skills Centre

www.calsc.co.uk/

 

Contact A Family

 

www.cafamily.org.uk/

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Council for Disabled Children

www.ncb.org.uk/

 

Cued Speech Association UK

Anne Worsfold, chief executive of Cued Speech Association UK, said: "Many deaf children, particularly the 90% of deaf children born into hearing families, suffer from communication breakdowns, frustration; and delayed and incomplete language.But is doesn’t have to be this way. Cued Speech gives deaf children full, visual access to the English language and can be used from babyhood with the result that deaf children need no longer suffer from delayed language and can understand the language of the home. It uses eight hand shapes in four positions near the mouth to clarify the lip-patterns of normal speech. Without Cued Speech only about 35% of language can be accurately lipread but research shows that with Cued Speech the figure increases to 96%. Parents of deaf babies and children can learn to cue in only 20 hours and can then chat with their deaf child using the same language as they would with their hearing child.

The Cued Speech Association UK is a charity which provides information and training for parents and professionals and we are delighted to support the Make Chatter Matter campaign because with Cued Speech chatter can matter for deaf children too."

www.cuedspeech.co.uk

Disabilities Trust

www.disabilities-trust.org.uk/

 

Down's Syndrome Association

www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

 

Dyslexia Action

Shirley Cramer, chief executive of Dyslexia Action, said: “Dyslexia Action is pleased to support I Can's Make Chatter Matter campaign to ensure that the ability of all children to communicate is a national priority. We know the lifelong implications for children whose early struggles are not spotted and supported. Early intervention is crucial. T he evidence is clear that there are many children with speech, communication and literacy difficulties who are not being identified soon enough or getting the appropriate specialist teaching they need.

There is a compelling moral and economic case for improving the provision for children with problems in this area. We support the Make Chatter Matter Campaign, which echoes many of Dyslexia Action’s own long-standing messages, education - and specialist help if necessary - should be accessible to every child.”

www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk/

 

Dyspraxia Foundation

Pam Williams, Chair of Dyspraxia Foundation, said: “The Dyspraxia Foundation is delighted to give its backing to I CAN’s campaign to “Make chatter matter”. As a charity that supports children, young people and adults with developmental co-ordination difficulties, many of our members have speech, language and communication impairments at some stage in their lives, of varying degrees of severity, that require specialist services. We applaud I CAN’s call for a commitment from government to provide readily accessible resources for these individuals and their families. In particular, we believe that the “post-code lottery” of service provision must end and services must be far more easily available to those in need.

“Some children with dyspraxia have no specific speech, language or communication impairment. However, like all children, they need to be able to develop good communication skills. As I Can’s excellent manifesto points out, Communication skills are foundation life skills for all children and need to be at the centre of children’s policy development. The Dyspraxia Foundation gives it heartfelt support to I CAN’s campaign to increase awareness of communication development amongst parents, teachers and early years staff and their call for all children to have access to language-rich environments.”

www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

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Early Years Educator

Neil Henty, Editor of Early Years Educator, said: “Communicating is an essential life skill at work, home and at play. Children’s speech and language development must be supported as early as possible and early years professionals are key to that. They are passionate and invaluable which is why we must ensure they have the tools and information to support children’s communication development. EYE (Early Years Educator) supports I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign and the call to provide professionals with training, knowledge and advice.”

www.eyeonline.co.uk/
 

Family Fund

www.familyfund.org.uk/

Forparentsbyparents.com

Debbie Bird, Editor of ForParentsByParents.com, said: “ForParentsByParents.com is a website dedicated to providing parents with advice and support from parent to parent, complimented as and when relevant with advice from professional organisations. Our parents are striving to provide the best of everything for their children and we believe that being part of a scheme that encourages children to communicate and develop social skills is very important. Parents need support in bringing up children and I believe that I CAN is an important part of this process about how to encourage their children to speak, listen and socialise. All children should be encouraged to express themselves and to empower them to learn how to be a valued member of their community, at whatever age.

ForParentsByParents.com are pleased to be a part of this campaign and believe that parents and children across the country will benefit from the activities planned. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to encourage and inform parents and look forward to the year ahead.”

www.forparentsbyparents.com/

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is very pleased to be supporting Make Chatter Matter. Our work with lone parent families has made us aware of the high priority our members place on the health and wellbeing of their children and we wish to support them in every way we can. We hope to be able to help them access your services and take part in your campaign.

It is of huge concern to read that 50% of children are arriving at school without the speech and language skills they need to learn and make friends. We feel a campaign to end this needs to be made a national priority. We have found that many lone parent families face isolation issues and those with a communication disability are at an even greater disadvantage. We would be happy to support anything that can be done to prevent this happening.

www.gingerbread.org.uk

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La Jolie Ronde

 

La Jolie Ronde teaches ten of thousands of children throughout the UK and overseas to build their confidence and enthusiasm for both the French and Spanish language. We are delighted that children who are having fun developing their own communication skills are raising funds that will help children with a communication disability. We would like to encourage parents and carers, childminders and nursery and primary teachers to take up the Chatterbox Challenge, and even try something new for 2009 – Try the Challenge in French or Spanish!
 
Founded in 1983, La Jolie Ronde has been teaching nursery and primary aged children another language for over 25 years with fantastic results.  Years of development, dedication and experience in the sector of early language learning, La Jolie Ronde has become the market leader, committed to offering the best possible start to young learners.
 
For further information visit www.lajolieronde.co.uk

 

LeapFrog Toys ( UK)

Teresa Ceballos, Vice President, Marketing LeapFrog Toys (UK) said: “LeapFrog Toys (UK) Ltd, is committed to creating fun, engaging and effective learning experiences for every child, complementing I CAN’s goal of communication for all. LeapFrog appreciates how important it is for children to be able to communicate and interact so that they are prepared for school and are able to get the most from their education.”

www.leapfroguk.com

 

London Speech Disorders Special Interest Group (SIG)

Claire Hammond, chair of the London Speech Disorders Special Interest Group, said, "The London Speech Disorders Special Interest Group fully supports I CAN's “Make Chatter Matter” campaign. This group consists of a growing number of speech and language therapists specialising in developmental speech disorders, including developmental verbal dyspraxia. We are deeply concerned that this patient/ client group is not receiving adequate, direct speech therapy provision at present due to the ongoing cuts in speech and language therapy services. Both our professional experience and research evidence show that it is vital to work with speech impaired children as early as possible in order to avoid long term difficulties with learning, and with self esteem and ultimately mental health. Children with speech disorders are at risk of developing literacy difficulties and will also inevitably have difficulties accessing those parts of the curriculum at school that involve verbal communication. This sets them up to fail in the long term. As I CAN’s Cost to the Nation report states, a signifI CANt proportion of adults in prisons have been identified as having ongoing speech, language and literacy difficulties which may have prevented them from coping effectively in the adult world. We know that many speech disorders are eminently treatable, with an excellent prognosis, provided the child receives appropriate speech and language therapy, delivered by a speech and language therapist. The type and duration of therapy should be determined by the child’s clinical needs and not by any other factors. Many of these children are at present on long waiting lists or are not receiving regular direct therapy input. By the very nature of their difficulties these children are not able to speak up for themselves. Speech and Language Therapists are the only professionals with the appropriate knowledge, skills and training to treat them but they are being prevented from doing so. We therefore support I CAN in their campaign to improve services for all children with communication impairments "

Mum Knows Best Limited

www.mumknowsbest.co.uk/

Music For Little People

www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk

 

My Child

'As the only parenting title with education and learning at its core MY CHILD fully supports and welcomes I CAN's Make Chatter Matter campaign as vital and timely. The magazine is in for the long-run to support the campaign with a range of editorial and features.'
Denise Roberts (Editor of My Child)

www.mychild.co.uk/

 

National Children’s Bureau

Paul Ennals, chief executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said: "The NCB promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. The ability to communicate effectively is essential for children and is closely linked to a child's ability to learn, take advantage of their education and to their social and emotional development. I CAN's Make Chatter Matter campaign aims to inform and equip all people who have responsibility to children to ensure they have the tools to help children develop their communication skills. The NCB is delighted to endorse the Make Chatter Matter campaign."

www.ncb.org.uk

National Childbirth Trust (NCT)

www.nct.org.uk/

 

National Childminding Association (NCMA)

Liz Bayram, Chief Executive of National Childminding Association, said: "The National Childminding Association (NCMA) is delighted to be supporting the Make Chatter Matter campaign. With 1 in every 10 children in the UKexperiencing a speech or language difficulty, NCMA’s childminder and nanny members play a vital role in supporting young children to develop their communications skills as well as supporting the families of children that experience difficulties. Working in a home-setting, they care for small groups of children and, because of this, can give each child a far more personalised form of care. We are happy to work with I CAN to raise awareness of this important issue and also spread the message of how childminders and nannies can help."

www.ncma.org.uk

 

Netmums

Sally Russell, Director of Netmus, said: “Birth to five is the most critical period for communication development. Netmums supports I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign because we share the view that families and professionals need the skills, knowledge and confidence to support children’s speech and language development as early on as possible.”

www.netmums.com

 

Nursery Education

“Practitioners, like parents, play a vital role in the early education of children. They help lay the foundations for later learning. Through Make Chatter Matter, I CAN aims to provide these professionals with vital tools and information to help support children's speech and language development. Without communication skills children's future success and happiness is at risk, which is why Nursery Education is supporting Make Chatter Matter. We must ensure practitioners get the information and training they need to help children communicate for life."
Helen Dean (Editor of Nursery World)

www.scholastic.co.uk/magazines/nurseryed.htm

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Nursery World

Liz Roberts, Editor of Nursery World, media partner for the Make Chatter Matter campaign said: “Nursery World is delighted to be a media partner of I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign which includes the fun and engaging Chatterbox Challenge. Helping young children to communicate is central to the work of early years professionals, and we also realise how important it is that they have the tools and information to do so which is why we’re supporting I CAN to Make Chatter Matter.'

www.nurseryworld.co.uk

 

1Voice

Katie Clarke, Chair of 1 Voice, said: “1Voice - Communicating Together is delighted to support the Make Chatter Matter campaign. We hope that it will raise awareness of the needs of non-speaking disabled children and young people who use technology for their voice. Without a communication aid and the right support, disabled children are left frustrated, marginalised and isolated.It takes years of hard work and practice to learn how to use a communication aid, but the benefits are immeasurable. Unfortunately, there are still large gaps in services supporting children who use communication aids. We hope I CAN will bring a vital message to the attention of the Government: "disabled children and young people have the right to communicate through technology. Now is the time to respect that right and provide them with the fundamental human right of communication".”

http://www.1voice.info/

 

Openreach

Dawn James, Director of Communications Openreach, said: “Openreach provides the foundation for Britain’s telecommunications infrastructure by installing and servicing the ‘first mile’ - the wiring, fibres and connections which link millions of homes and businesses to their Communications Providers’ networks. Openreach’s 'First Mile' programme helps families provide the foundations for communication skills in pre-school children. Working with I CAN as a principal sponsor of its Make Chatter Matter campaign and the principal sponsor of its Chatterbox Challenge 2007 the aim is to equip every child with the ability and confidence to interact with the world around them, as they embark on a lifetime of communicating.”

www.openreach.co.uk

Parent Talk

Anna Khan, Chief Executive of Parentalk said: "Supporting parents to communicate and listen to their child is one of the Top Tips of the popular Parentalk parenting course. Speaking, listening and communicating are the foundation for future learning and equal access to support services is a right for all families who have a member with communication needs."

www.parentalk.co.uk/

 

Practical Pre-School

Sonali Hindmarch, Editor, Practical Pre-School, said: "Communication is the most practical life skill. It is the springboard from which children go on to be successful in their academic and social lives. At pre-school level it is vital that practitioners receive the training and information they need to support children’s communication development. We must also make sure settings are language-rich, which is why Practical Pre-School is supporting I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign.”

www.practicalpreschool.com

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Practical Professional Child Care

Amy Griggs, Editor, Practical Professional Child Care, said: “Child carers, like families, are the natural educators of children. Through Make Chatter Matter, I CAN aims to provide child carers with vital tools and information to help support children’s speech and language development. Without communication skills children’s future success and happiness is at risk which is why Practical Professional Child Care is supporting Make Chatter Matter. We must ensure child carers get the information and training they need to help children communicate for life.”

www.professionalchildcare.co.uk

 

Pre-School Learning Alliance

Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, said: "The Pre-school Learning Alliance is delighted to be supporting Make Chatter Matter . As an early years organisationwe fully recognise the long-term importance for all children of developing communication skills from the earliest age. Play-based activities such as the Chatterbox Challenge are ideal for encouraging children to learn and have fun at the same time, and a great way to involve parents in their child's early development. I am sure that our members and the 800,000 children and families they support will wholeheartedly endorse this campaign."

www.pre-school.org.uk/

 

Rathbone

www.rathboneuk.org/

 

Sibs

Siblings of children with communication disability are likely to get less time and attention from parents, experience distress if their brother or sister is teased at school, and often have to help their brother or sister to communicate with others. Associated behaviour problems in children with language disability have a direct negative impact on siblings. Many siblings also worry about how their brother or sister will cope with life in the future and about whether they will need to look after them. We are supporting the Make Chatter Matter Campaign as we believe it will be of significant benefit to siblings.
Monica McCaffrey (Director)

www.sibs.org.uk/

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Sing and Sign

Sing and Signruns a nationwide network of classes for parents and babies, and are the leading children’s music group encouraging speech and language development. ICAN’s valuable work is entirely compatible with the Sing and Signapproach, recognising the importance of early intervention when something in a baby’s development doesn’t follow the usual path.

Sing and Sign’s founder Sasha Felix says, “My programme has its roots in speech and language therapy advice. Our method is to encourage parents to get right down on the floor with their little ones and enjoy the best possible communication at their baby’s pace. We encourage listening skills and attention, eye contact, gestures and shared smiles all enjoyed with our magic ingredient – music! We are proud and thrilled to partner this wonderful charity and look forward to supporting ICAN for many years to come!”

www.singandsign.com

 

Serco

Tom Richardson, Director of Consulting for Serco Education and Children’s Services , said: “The Make Chatter Matter campaign, along with Targeting Talk, puts improved communication skills at the heart of children's development. This is the key to improved learning, raised academic standards, higher levels of emotional health, and the economic prosperity of future generations.”

http://www.serco.com

Stoke Speaks Out

www.stokespeaksout.org/

 

The Children’s Society

www.childrenssociety.org.uk/

 

The Daycare Trust

www.daycaretrust.org.uk/

 

The Grandparents' Association

Caroline Needham of The Grandparents’ Association, said: “The Grandparents' Association supports ICAN's Chatter Matters campaign, we have been happy to participate in the development of support for families that recognises the role of grandparents in their conversations with their grandchildren. We welcome the excellent and positive portrayal of family life reflected in the material the Chatter matters campaign has produced.”

www.grandparents-association.org.uk

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The Mental Health Foundation

Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “The Mental Health Foundation is pleased to support the Make Chatter Matter campaign. We believe it is crucial that children's voices are heard and that they are enabled to communicate their views, wishes and feelings. This is particularly important during times of emotional distress for children who may find it difficult to communicate.”

www.mentalhealth.org.uk

 

THRASS UK

THRASS UK resources are used in thousands of nurseries and primary schools, largely in the UK, Europe and Africa. The fundamental belief behind all our resources and courses is that the process of learning to read and write changes and improves a child’s verbal ability, general knowledge, memory, intellect and social behaviour. In keeping with this belief, a key feature of our internationally acclaimed phonics programme is that essential speaking and listening skills are taught from the outset, in the first of ten stages, known as Picture Location. In this stage, teachers, assistants and parents work together to develop essential speaking and listening skills by acting-out, matching, naming, describing, categorizing and discussing one-hundred-and-twenty key pictures with their children. The creation of phrases, sentences and stories by the children is also very much encouraged and celebrated - in order to develop imagination, competence and confidence in the children. Given the above, it should come as no surprise that we are backing the Make Chatter Matter campaign to highlight the importance of young children’s communication development as the foundation for learning and development. We are concerned about the evidence, in I CAN’s report Cost to the Nation of Children’s Poor Communication, that a large and growing number of children are beginning formal education with relatively poor speech and language skills. We are a busy international organisation, with lots of commitments, but we aim to work collaboratively with I CAN and other organisations, in whatever way we can, in the campaign to help children communicate.

www.thrass.co.uk/

 

Tots on Tour!

Sara Sprague, (an I CAN parent) and Fiona Cann, Speech and Language Therapist from Tots on Tour Ltd said “We are delighted to be able to support I CAN’s “Make Chatter Matter” campaign again this year. The campaign provides you with a great opportunity to have fun dressing up and to celebrate children’s achievements! It also provides the opportunity to share with families and early years settings, the benefits and importance of songs and rhymes as a means of supporting children’s communication skills. We have been privileged to see first hand the benefits of the fundraising and how essential I CAN schools are for children with complex speech and language difficulties. We believe it is essential that all families and early years practitioners have appropriate, accessible information that will help them support children’s communication development because “Chatter really does Matter!”

Tots on Tour Ltd is a joint teacher/speech and language therapist partnership drawing on the professional and parenting experiences of Sara Sprague (teacher) and Fiona Cann, (speech and language therapist). “We are passionate in our beliefs and committed to promoting and enhancing the communication and interactional skills of young children” Song, rhyme and musical activities form the basis of our “Talking Tots” programme. The programme is for parents/carers and children and has been carefully designed to provide opportunities to have fun together, whilst practicing and promoting awareness of all the essential skills children require in order to become effective communicators. The programme enables families and early years staff - to support children’s early interaction, communication and language development; the foundations for all later learning.

www.totsontour.co.uk

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Treehouse Foundation

www.treehouse.org.uk/

 

Volunteer Reading Help

http://www.vrh.org.uk/

 

White Lodge Centre

Jacqui Bremner, director of White Lodge Centre, said: “White Lodge Centre is pleased to join the Make Chatter Matter campaign. One of our key principles is maximizing the potential of disabled children and adults however complex or challenging their disabilities. Understanding and unlocking the communication skills of every child is at the heart of what we do and why we are happy to support the campaign to put communication at the heart of the policy agenda for children.”

www.whitelodgecentre.co.uk/

 

Whizz Kidz

www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

 

Youth Music

Dulcie Ireland, Executive Officer - Marketing & Communications, Youth Music, said "Youth Music fully endorses I CAN's Make Chatter Matter campaign. Communication is an essential skill and must be put at the heart of the children's policy agenda. Research by Youth Music has shown that active participation in music-making sessions can benefit the development of these skills in under 5's, for instance 'call and response' activities teach children how conversation works. The development of a UK-wide framework is essential to ensure that all children receive the support they need."

www.youthmusic.org.uk/