(Every Child A Talker)

ECAT
What is it? ECAT was introduced nationally four years ago and was adopted by Kent a year ago

Why? There has been a noticeable decline in communication skills in recent years

Look at our ECAT poster on the noticeboard for more ideas

Any concerns? Talk to your childs Keyperson Phone ICAN help for a free chat to a speech and language specialist on 0207 843 2544 Visit the Drop In on 13 February between 12 noon and 2pm at Westborough Childrens Centre, Greenway, Barming ME16 8TL, for a chat to a Speech Therapist

How can you help? Talk to your child as much as possible while getting dressed, eating, shopping etc.

Sharing books and singing songs helps your child to understand language and learn to talk. Books with clear pictures of real objects are best for young babies, whilst toddlers will enjoy picture books with repeated phrases.

Preschool event
Come and read a story to your child at preschool Monday 4 to Friday 8 March, 9am (for 10 minutes)
To celebrate World Book Day (7 March) we are inviting all parents/carers to come into preschool during the week of Monday 4 to Friday 8 March, to share a story with their child. Bring your own book if you wish but dont worry we have lots to choose from.

The preschool will be adopting a nursery rhyme each week. You may wish to join in by sharing the rhymes at home: January 21 Mary had a little lamb 28 Old King Cole February 4 Pat a cake, pat a cake bakers man 25 Grand Old Duke of York March 4 Hey diddle diddle 11 Mary, Mary quite contrary 18 Doctor Foster went to Gloucester

ICAN are the childrens communication charity. I CANs mission is to ensure that no child who struggles to communicate is left out or left behind. Their vision is a world where all children and young people who struggle to communicate receive the help they need so that they can have a happy childhood, make progress at school and thrive as adults.

Call-back service providing expert information for parents and practitioners about speech, language and communication.
Free call from a Speech and Language Therapist Concerned about a child's talking, listening and understanding? Are you looking for more information about speech, language and communication? Call 020 7843 2544 to arrange a free phone call from one of our speech and language therapists through the I CAN Help Enquiry Service or you can email your questions to enquiries@ican.org.uk We can help explain any aspect of children's talking and communication development that you may be concerned about. We can also talk you through ages and stages and what you can do to help your child and get the right support.
http://www.ican.org.uk/en/What-we-do/I%20CAN%20Help/Enquiry%20Service.aspx

ECAT in Kent
More information about ECAT can be found on the Kent County Council website by following this link: http://www.kent.gov.uk/education_and_learning/childcare_and_earl y_education/every_child_a_talker.aspx Every Child a Talker (ECAT) is a national project that aims to support childrens early speech, language and communication skills. Research shows that children who start school as confident speakers with good language skills become successful learners and achieve in life. Sadly this is not the case for all children. In 2006, research showed that:

up to 10% of all children have a long term persistent communication difficulty however, upwards of 50% of children when starting school have more temporary difficulties, with the right support these children can catch up.

Useful websites:
Communication Trust www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/ Booktrust www.booktrust.org.uk Talking Point http://www.talkingpoint.org.uk/en/Parent.aspx