Every Child a Talker
in Milton Keynes

Anteros Educational Consulting Ltd was contracted by Milton Keynes Council (MKC) to deliver “Every Child a Talker” (ECaT), a government led initiative to improve the provision for language development in Early Years settings.

Initially working with 20 Early years settings Anteros brought together a team of 20 Early Language Lead Practitioners (ELLPs). This team, steered by Anteros, worked in collaboration with Early Years Consultants, Speech and Language Therapists, Ethnic Minority Achievement Consultants, Inclusion Specialists, Early Years SENCOs, Children Centres, Health Visitors, Family Support Workers, the Library Service and Parents to develop language rich learning environments for the under fives. In time the core team was expanded to include a further 22 settings.

Practitioners also felt more able to talk about language with parents and other professionals and recognise when a child’s development may be atypical . With the support of a child language monitoring tool and coaching to analyse data, the needs of individuals could be identified to ensure that children did not “slip through the net”, and intervention was appropriate and timely.

Below are a few of the exciting and innovative ideas the teams developed. Within each sentence there is an amazing story to tell.

• Training – I CAN; local; multi-agency; understanding the theory of language development and how this translates to everyday practical activities and ideas – also sharing this with parents

• HEART radio campaign - 2 sets of commercials to raise awareness of the importance of early language development

• Poster campaign/display boards

• Story “The boy at Willen Lake” - including nursery rhymes sung by the children of Milton Keynes and distributed to across the City

• ICT and language – innovative practice using Easi- Speak microphones

• Communication Friendly Spaces-Outdoor/indoor role play areas/ book areas/outdoor/indoor dens

• Take home teddy bear

• Newstime/ story and rhyme time

• Story sacks to share at home

• Trips out with parents (to places that are free)

• Stay and play sessions with parents

• Bedtime story session with parents ( everyone wore their pyjamas)

• Awareness raising of the importance of using first language and opportunities created to share cultural experiences

• Language and cooking with children

• Book week

• Story of the month

• Top tips for talking – promoting high quality adult –child interaction

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In Milton Keynes, there has been a 20% reduction in the number of young children at risk of language delay.

The following testimonies exemplify the emergence of reflective practitioners who are pioneers in their own learning and ambassadors for the importance of the development of children`s language and communication within their communities .They recognise that everyone has a contribution to make, however big or small.

“ECAT and Anteros have opened my eyes to just HOW important language is and made me understand that actually I can really make a difference.”

“This project has provided me with lots of opportunities to improve my confidence – leading staff meetings, speaking to parents and other early year professionals. As a setting we are much more aware of the children`s needs and how to support them”

“ECAT and has made a positive impact on our pre-school. The children are already talking so much more.”

“Working with Jacqui and Dave has given me the confidence to talk to colleagues and parents about communication skills.”

..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM-FKGbjlrM..