Early Years (0-5s)
Our Early Years workshops are open to any professionals working with children from birth to the end of Reception year.
For those working in the Fylde and Wyre area, much of our training is free (although some do require the purchase of workbooks or resources as specified). For professionals in Blackpool or other areas, we welcome attendance but do charge for places.
Our programme of workshops is updated each term – see which workshops are available: Book a course with us :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
Use the drop downs below to find workshops which may be relevant for you.
Understanding speech, language and communication in under 5s
This workshop will provide an overview of the different areas of speech, language and communication. This includes typical development, identifying needs, and when/how to seek further support. It is relevant to anyone wishing to update their knowledge of typical development, and particularly to those involved in making referrals to Speech and Language Therapy.
You can also find out more about making referrals here: Making a referral to NHS Speech and Language Therapy :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
Understanding speech, language and communication in under 5s
This workshop will provide an overview of the different areas of speech, language and communication. This includes typical development, identifying needs, and when/how to seek further support. It is relevant to anyone wishing to update their knowledge of typical development, and particularly to those involved in making referrals to Speech and Language Therapy.
Supporting babies and toddlers language development
This workshop will support with developing your practice to support children under 2. We will focus on pre-verbal skills and early words, looking at how this develops, strategies to support development, and identifying and supporting next steps.
Using a Total Communication Approach
‘Total Communication’ means supporting different means of communication to support children’s understanding and development. We will talk about use of visuals, objects and signs to promote language development and about how this might look in your setting.
Developing a Communication Friendly Environment
Focussing on the physical aspect of your environment, this workshop will give opportunities to discuss how difference aspects of our spaces can influence children’s communication development and look at how we can use the environment to create opportunities.
Hanen Teacher Talk A - Encouraging language development in early childhood settings
This workshop from The Hanen Centre, encourages you to reflect on your practice and really think about what good practice looks like and how we can use simple, effective strategies to make the most of communication opportunities with children. Focussing on developing successful interactions on which to build language, this is full of practical strategies and ideas. A workbook is provided for each attendee to support you think about how to use the ideas in your setting.
Makaton
Makaton is a communication programme which uses signs, symbols and speech to support children and adults to communicate. Whilst Makaton is often used for those with identified language or communicaiton needs, it is also a fantastic way to support early language development for all children and promote inclusion for all.
We offer taster sessions for those who may just want to find out more, or are just getting started on their Makaton journey – these will give an overview of Makaton and introduce you to 20-30 signs to get started.
We also offer the official Makaton Levels 1-4 workshops, these build on each other and develop your Makaton knowledge and skills. They must be attended in order.
Levels 1-4 include the provision of a Makaton manual with all of the content covered in the workshop.
Supporting babies and toddlers language development
This workshop will support with developing your practice to support children under 2. We will focus on pre-verbal skills and early words, looking at how this develops, strategies to support development, and identifying and supporting next steps.
Hanen Teacher Talk A – Encouraging language development in early childhood settings
This workshop from The Hanen Centre, encourages you to reflect on your practice and really think about what good practice looks like and how we can use simple, effective strategies to make the most of communication opportunities with children. Focussing on developing successful interactions on which to build language, this is full of practical strategies and ideas. A workbook is provided for each attendee to support you think about how to use the ideas in your setting.
Closing the word gap
Our focus in this session, is on developing vocabulary. The workshop will provide information around how children learn new vocabulary, choosing the right words to focus on, and strategies to support new word learning.
Supporting words, sentences and beyond
This workshop focused on building on early language development beyond those first words – on building sentences and conversations. It will take you through practical information and strategies to support the developing language skills of toddlers, preschool and reception children.
Hanen ABC & Beyond Module1 : Turning book reading into a conversation, and making new words sparkle to build vocabulary
This module is part of the ABC & Beyond programme from The Hanen Centre and is focused on preschool and reception children. The workshop focuses on using shared book reading to build interaction and to support children to understand and use the vocabulary of stories.
As part of this programme a follow up setting visit is provided for each participant to support with implementation of strategies and your own reflective practice.
Hanen ABC & Beyond Module 2: Expanding children’s understanding of stories and helping children use language to think and learn
This module is part of the ABC & Beyond programme from The Hanen Centre and is focussed on preschool and reception children. This workshop focuses on expanding children’s understanding of narratives using stories, and expanding their use of language beyond the ‘here and now’ to further their thinking and learning skills.
As part of this programme a follow up setting visit is provided for each participant to support with implementation of strategies and your own reflective practice.
Early Talk Boost
The Early Talk Boost programme from Speech and Language UK, is an intervention ‘catch up’ programme designed to be delivered over 9 weeks with children aged 3-4yrs who may need a some additional support with their language skills. Your setting will need to have purchased the intervention toolkit prior to the workshop (you can find out more here: Early Talk Boost - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives).
The workshop will provide you with all the knowledge you need to use the toolkit to deliver the programme in your setting.
Makaton
Makaton is a communication programme which uses signs, symbols and speech to support children and adults to communicate. Whilst Makaton is often used for those with identified language or communicaiton needs, it is also a fantastic way to support early language development for all children and promote inclusion for all.
We offer taster sessions for those who may just want to find out more, or are just getting started on their Makaton journey – these will give an overview of Makaton and introduce you to 20-30 signs to get started. We also offer the official Makaton Levels 1-4 workshops, these build on each other and develop your Makaton knowledge and skills. They must be attended in order.
Levels 1-4 include the provision of a Makaton manual with all of the content covered in the workshop.
You might also be interested in developing your environment to support communication.
Developing a communication friendly environment
Focusing on the physical aspect of your environment, this workshop will give opportunities to discuss how difference aspects of our spaces can influence children’s communication development and look at how we can use the environment to create opportunities.
Using a Total Communication approach
‘Total Communication’ means supporting different means of communication to support children’s understanding and development. We will talk about use of visuals, objects and signs to promote language development and about how this might look in your setting.
Makaton
Makaton is a communication programme which uses signs, symbols and speech to support children and adults to communicate. Whilst Makaton is often used for those with identified language or communicaiton needs, it is also a fantastic way to support early language development for all children and promote inclusion for all.
We offer taster sessions for those who may just want to find out more, or are just getting started on their Makaton journey – these will give an overview of Makaton and introduce you to 20-30 signs to get started. We also offer the official Makaton Levels 1-4 workshops, these build on each other and develop your Makaton knowledge and skills. They must be attended in order.
Levels 1-4 include the provision of a Makaton manual with all of the content covered in the workshop.
Understanding speech sound development
This workshop will support you to understand how children typically develop speech sounds, as well as being aware of what to look out for if children may need more support. You will also gain some ideas around how to support speech sound development in young children.
Hanen ABC and Beyond – Module 3: Building print knowledge and phonological awareness
This module is part of the ABC & Beyond programme from The Hanen Centre and is focused on preschool and reception children.
It aims to support you to reflect on practice, and build you knowledge of strategies to support children’s print awareness and, importantly for speech and literacy development, their phonological awareness skills.
As part of this programme a follow up setting visit is provided for each participant to support with implementation of strategies and your own reflective practice.
