Every Child a Talker (ECAT)
Ketton Early Birds is an ECAT setting.
ECAT is a national initiative to help raise children’s achievement in early language, raise practitioner’s skills and knowledge and increase parental understanding and involvement in children’s language development. As a setting, Ketton Early Birds will benefit from extra training and support to develop the very best early language provision.
There are many key people and places that make up a child’s language learning environment – home, parents or carers, extended family, friends, local area, clubs, mother and toddler groups and so on. With increased understanding across these influential parties, it is hoped that children’s communication levels can be raised nationwide.
Never too young to start reading
- Reading a story is the easiest way to ‘talk’ to a baby before they have any language of their own.
- Reading aloud creates the perfect bond between parent and baby - it’s cosy, comforting and fun.
- Listening to stories provides children with new ‘friends’ - characters who they learn to love.
- Listening to stories has a strong influence on personal and social growth as it gives children the chance to experience things beyond their own world.
Playing and Talking
Play helps children to learn about themselves and the world around them and is an important way to develop early communication and social skills. Make time for regular play, wherever you are – in the bath, at the park or in the shops. Speak slowly and repeat names of people and objects. Give children time to respond. Praise and encourage their efforts. When play is fun and children receive plenty of focus, learning happens naturally.
Songs and Rhymes
Singing songs and nursery rhymes are really good as the rhythm and repetition make it easier for babies to learn language skills.
