I CAN's Early Talk links to and helps to join up existing initiatives within speech, language and communication including the Inclusion Development Programme (IDP) and Every Child a Talker (ECAT) programme. It is a unique, evidence-informed programme designed to aid the communication development of all pre-school children by improving the skills, knowledge and confidence of Early Years practitioners. The Early Talk programme is devised to develop the skills of early years practitioners in the vital area of children’s communication. It does this through staged training packages, mentoring and service development. In Scotland, Early Talk supports Early Years Services both within education and the NHS to achieve targets set within, for example, a Curriculum for Excellence and Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC). Collaboration between professionals and agencies is key to GIRFEC and supported by Early Talk to ensure that the needs of children with speech, language and communication needs are met. Such policies/documents require a knowledgeable and experienced workforce able to support the communication development of all children in order that they can become responsible citizens, successful learners, confident individuals and effective contributors. Download information about ‘Becoming an Early Talk Partner’ |