Communication Consultancy for settings
Working with early years professionals, parents and local authorities to deliver the optimum communication environment for all children in the early years. I have extensive experience over the last 20 years of sharing my Speech, Language Communication expertise to support the universal population. To facilitate positive change in settings I utilize an approach which involves training, modelling and coaching.
I can work with your setting to provide:
Sessions
Parent engagement sessions to support key communication development messages
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Audit
Environmental audits and audits of Speech, Language, Communications needs (SLCN).
Modelling & Coaching
To support the upskilling of practitioners and parents in supporting communication development​
Bespoke Training
Diana can provide staff, practioner, and parent training sessions. The sessions vary in length and formality depending on your individual needs
Some of the training modules that I can offer:
Introduction to communication development
This module covers development norms for communication, interaction and play. Information will be provided about indicators for development delay, disorders and differences. This will include information about when to refer children for additional support. Specific communication terminology will be explained.
supporting slc with a neurodiversity affirming lens
This module encourages a strengths-based, flexible approach, focusing on promoting confidence and effective communication in all children, regardless of their neurodevelopment pathways. This approach emphasises respecting each child's unique communication style and development pace, rather than imposing rigid norms.​​​​
Introduction to communication development
This module covers development norms for communication, interaction and play. Information will be provided about indicators for development delay, disorder and differences. This will include information about when to refer children for additional support. Specific communication terminology will be explained.
Supporting language development
This module covers ideas and strategies to support language development in early years. This will include approaches to support both receptive and expressive language.
Home learning environment
This module covers ideas around creating communication rich environments both at home and within pre-school settings.
Communication coaching using video reflection
This module introduces the ideas around using video to support self-reflection of interaction skills. The aims of the module are:
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High-quality interactions with children
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The ability to maximise incidental interactions with a child.
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Positive and facilitative adult-child interactions as standard.
supporting speech development
This module covers ideas and strategies to support the development of speech sounds. A framework to support speech sound development will be covered and the stages of intervention will be explained.
Emotional regulation and communication
This module covers the development of emotions in the early years. A model of emotional coaching is presented and ideas to support emotional outbursts and behaviours of concern are discussed.
Working with parents
This module provides ideas to support working with parents both within formal structured sessions within the early years setting. Also, working with parents informally to support their child’s development.
foundations of eal and bilingualism
This module covers the current evidence on bilingual language development and the latest advice on supporting children being brought up in multi-lingual environments.
Storytelling to support communication
This module explores how books and storytelling can enhance children's social interaction and language development. It emphasises using books to promote communication, engaging children in storytelling to improve social skills, and incorporating props to make storytelling more interactive, aiding comprehension and language use.
Introduction to communication development
This module covers development norms for communication, interaction and play. Information will be provided about indicators for development delay, disorder and differences. This will include information about when to refer children for additional support. Specific communication terminology will be explained.
