Identifying and Supporting Speech Skills in Young Children – Half Day Session

Overview

Speech development is a highly complex process, so it’s no surprise that many children simplify their speech as they learn. But when do these difficulties with certain sounds or words become a cause for concern? Which speech patterns are developmentally appropriate, and when should we expect a child to have a clear and robust sound system that supports effective communication?

In this in-depth session, learners will gain a deeper understanding of the complexity involved in speech sound development. We will explore the fine motor and auditory discrimination skills required for children to distinguish between subtle sound differences and sequence these accurately into words and sentences.

The session will cover:

• Typical speech development milestones by age
• Common speech patterns and when they should resolve
• The importance of phonological awareness and sound discrimination
• Practical strategies to support speech clarity and early literacy skills

By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to identify when speech difficulties are part of normal development—and when they may indicate a need for further support.

Outcomes

• Understand how speech clarity fits into the broader area of SLCN.
• Develop knowledge in how speech sounds are processed and produced and what to expect developmentally in young children at different ages and stages of their development.
• Have a clearer understanding of what is a developmental simplification in contrast to an atypical production and therefore the difference between delay and disorder.
• Identify key strategies and activities that can support speech clarity, phonological skills and the impact of this on literacy development.