MAKE CHATTER MATTER

Make Chatter Matter is I CAN’s three year awareness raising campaign to ensure that speech, language and communication are embedded at the heart of children’s policy.

The campaign, principally supported by the BT Better World campaign and Openreach, highlights the importance of communication as the foundation for learning and social development. The campaign is also supported by a diverse coalition of 65 organisations and individuals including the CBI, Early Learning Centre, The Children’s Society and Whizz Kidz.

After two years of campaigning and awareness raising, speech, language and communication is now emerging as a national issue like autism and dyslexia. It has become a priority for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) as seen by the launch of the Better Communication Action Plan in December 2008. The Department of Health (DoH) has also finally given it the recognition it deserves through the publication of the joint DCSF and DoH Child Health Strategy in February 2009.

Help us Make Chatter Matter Adopt a word from just £20. From aardvark to Zulu, the English Language is up for grabs. Adopt a word as a unique gift for friends and family, or take home your own piece of the English Language to love and cherish. Adoptions are exclusive for one year, and all proceeds help children who struggle to find the words they need to communicate. To adopt your word today go to www.adoptaword.com   Tell us your story . This will enable us to highlight the importance of children’s speech and language and its impact on individuals and families.

Communication is the foundation life skill. It affects our ability to learn, form relationships and make friends. Children who find language hard find life hard.

In the UK, 40-50% of children are starting primary school without the basic speech and language skills they need to learn and make friends. I CAN estimates that on top of this, 10% of children (an average of three in every classroom) have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) – either as their primary disability or as part of another condition such as autism, dyslexia or cerebral palsy.

Poor communication skills cost the individual, cost families and cost the nation.

For more information call 020 7843 2542 or email media@ican.org.uk