Communicate SLT CIC

05/10/2026

You’re invited to our Annual General Meeting!

Join us as we celebrate the many achievements of Communicate SLT CIC throughout 2025–2026 and look ahead to the future.

Our AGM is open to anyone with an interest in Communicate SLT CIC or the services we provide, so we’d love to see you there.

Thursday 15th October 2026
12:00pm–1:00pm
Online via Microsoft Teams

Please RSVP via the registration form by Monday 12th October 2026.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Nf8-OoSwDkuNgkyi0rYK7ggxqDZKcoBJgwC-NXCQ1ipUQ1FaWFFKNjBEMVZBMjJUWkEzVEczRU1BUyQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a Microsoft Teams invitation. The agenda and supporting documents will be shared during the week commencing 12th October.

Come along, celebrate what we’ve achieved together and help us shape our future work to facilitate effective communication for all.

We hope you can join us!

02/10/2026

Are we asking children questions that are right for their level of understanding?

Questions that seem simple to adults can sometimes be much harder for children to understand and answer.

Blank’s Levels of Questioning helps us think about how questions move from simple identification towards more complex thinking, reasoning and problem-solving.

From:
Level 1: Naming and identifying
“What is this?”
Level 2: Describing and finding information
“What colour is it?”
Level 3: Predicting and sequencing
“What do you think will happen next?”
Level 4: Reasoning and problem-solving
“Why did that happen?”

If a child is struggling to answer, we can support them by:
• Simplifying the question
• Offering choices
• Giving them time to process
• Modelling an answer
• Starting at an easier level

And remember — we don't always need to ask a question.

Commenting, modelling language and giving children opportunities to talk about what they're doing are all valuable ways to support communication.

Swipe through our carousel to explore Blank’s Levels of Questioning and find out how you can use them in everyday interactions.

At Communicate SLT CIC, we support children, families and settings to develop communication in ways that are meaningful, inclusive and tailored to each child.

For more information visit: https://www.traffordearlyyears.co.uk/Page/47985

30/09/2026

Children learn language by hearing the people around them use words and sentences in meaningful, everyday situations. 🚸

One simple way we can support this is through modelling language — showing children the words and phrases they can use, without putting pressure on them to repeat us.

So, what does modelling language look like?
Follow their lead.

Talk about what your child is interested in or doing.
If they’re playing with a car, you could say:
“Car!” “Red car!” “The red car is going fast!”
Comment more, question less.

Instead of asking lots of questions like “What’s that?” or “What are you doing?”, try commenting on what you can see.
“You’re building a tower!”
“The tower is getting very tall!”
Add one more word.

Try to match your child’s current level of language and gently extend what they say.
Child: “Dog.”
Adult: “Big dog!”
Child: “Dog running.” Adult: “The dog is running!”
Model, don’t correct.

If a child makes a mistake, simply repeat their message back using the correct language.
“He goed outside.”
“Yes, he went outside.”
Give them time.

Children don't need to repeat everything we say. Hearing words and phrases repeatedly in meaningful situations gives them opportunities to understand and, in time, use them themselves.

Remember: the aim isn't to test children on their language. It's about creating lots of opportunities for them to hear, understand and use language naturally.

At Communicate SLT CIC, we support children, families and settings to develop communication in ways that are meaningful, supportive and tailored to each child.
Communication is more than words. Every voice matters.❤

28/09/2026

When your toddler points to something, you might naturally ask, “What’s that?”
But instead of testing them, we can use these little everyday moments to model language and build communication.

For example, if they point to a ball , you could try:

❤️Name it: “Look, it’s a ball!”
❤️Describe it: “That ball is BIG!”
❤️Add an action: “It rolls!”
❤️Talk about what we do with it: “You throw it!”
❤️Use pronouns: “That’s YOUR ball. This is MY ball!”
❤️Add quantity: “You have ONE ball!”
❤️Give a compliment: “I like that ball!”
❤️Share a fact: “I have a ball too!”
❤️Start a game: “Let’s play with your ball!”
❤️Have fun with sounds: “Bounce, bounce, bounce!”

The best part? You don't need to turn play into a lesson.
Simply follow their interests, listen to what they're showing you and add a little more language to the moment.

These small interactions can create lots of opportunities for children to hear and learn new words.

Save this post for your next playtime and share it with another parent or early years practitioner!

26/09/2026

This European Day of Languages, we’re celebrating the many different languages and ways of communicating that make our communities so wonderfully diverse.
For Communicate SLT CIC, language and communication are at the heart of everything we do.

Children may communicate in more than one spoken language, use a home language alongside English, or communicate through signing, symbols, gestures, AAC or other forms of alternative communication.

Supporting children who use more than one language means recognising and valuing their whole communication experience. Their home language is an important part of who they are, their family and their culture.

A few ways we can celebrate linguistic diversity in Early Years and schools:
👄Share stories and books in different languages
👄Learn simple greetings in the languages spoken by children and families
👄Explore songs and rhymes from different cultures
👄Encourage children and families to use their home languages at home and perhaps teach you some words
🩷Use visual supports, signs and other communication methods to help everyone participate

The European Day of Languages reminds us that communication can look and sound different for everyone — and creating inclusive spaces means making sure every child has a way to be heard, understood and included.

Let's celebrate every language, every voice and every way of communicating.
Because communication connects us all.

24/09/2026

The environment around a child can have a huge impact on how they communicate, learn, play and connect with others.

A Communication Friendly Environment is one that encourages children to feel safe, engaged and confident to express themselves.

Here are a few simple things Early Years settings can consider:
⭐Think about the layout - can children be face-to-face in small groups
⭐Create welcoming spaces where children can interact with adults and other children.
⭐Consider furniture placement, quiet areas and opportunities for small-group play.
⭐Consider lighting and atmosphere. Natural light and softer lighting can help create a calm, comfortable environment.

Think about whether different areas of your setting feel stimulating or relaxing.
Create opportunities for interaction:

👍Provide spaces where children can play together, share ideas, take turns and develop their social communication skills.

👍Make communication visible - pictures, symbols, signs and visual prompts to support children's understanding and give them different ways to communicate.
Create opportunities for mark-making and writing.

👍Give children the time, space and resources they need to explore, express themselves and develop their confidence.

Small changes to the environment can make a big difference to children's opportunities to communicate and participate. Let's create Early Years spaces where every child feels heard, understood and able to flourish.

21/09/2026

In addition to the Neu Way Drop-Ins you can also join an online session on Monday 28th September 10-11am.

☑Click the link here to book: formhttps://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Nf8-OoSwDkuNgkyi0rYK7qg5oS20iEZMvrSUZtf-DplUQlVYQ09DVU5MR0c2UFRXRVQxMk5ITjJZSC4u

21/09/2026

Parent Consultation Drop-In – Neu Way Support

Are you a parent or carer of a child or young person with neurodevelopmental needs?

Come along to one of our Neu Way Support Parent Consultation Drop-Ins on Wednesday 24th September.

These informal sessions are an opportunity to:

Find out more about Neu Way Support and how we can support families.
Meet other parents and carers
Share your ideas about the workshops and training you would find useful
Help us shape the support we offer in the future
Ask questions and have a conversation with our team

When? 24th Sept
What time? 10–11am
Where? Oak Tree Children's Centre
Sydney Street, St Annes
FY8 1TR

When? 24th Sept
What time? 1–2pm
Where?Central Family Hub
Gorton Street, Blackpool
FY1 3JW

If you have already been referred to Neu Way Support, we'd particularly love to hear from you — your experiences and ideas can help us make sure future support reflects what families actually need.

Neu Way Support provides early support for families of children and young people aged 0–25, and you don't need a diagnosis or to be on a waiting list to access support.

To find out more visit this website: Neu Way Support - Spring North - Funding & Support for Charities in the North West

Parents can also call us free on 0300 365 5030.

We'd love to see you there!

18/09/2026

Join us to celebrate our many achievements during 2025-2026 in facilitating effective communication for all.

12:00pm – 1:00pm Communicate SLT Annual General Meeting virtually via Microsoft Teams

Anyone with an interest in Communicate SLT CIC or the services we provide is more than welcome to attend!

*Please RSVP via this form by Monday 12th October 2026*

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18/09/2026

Speech, language and communication differences often don't always go away with age. What changes is that, with the right support, people develop the skills, strategies and confidence to navigate the world in their own way. 💬✨

Sharing this post to raise awareness so the support is there in the community

In most countries it is almost impossible for adults with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) to access services. Too many people still think that DLD 'disappears' at 18. It doesn't. We need to keep working hard to raise awareness of DLD in adulthood and listen to adults with DLD. Together for DLD! Friday October 16th 2026 radld.org 'Together for DLD'