Speech and Language at Circus.

Here, at Circus Day Nursery, we understand the importance of providing all children with the knowledge and ability to communicate their needs, wants and feelings to ensure communication is about quality and inclusion for all.

We all have the right to communicate. There is no reason why a child’s communication needs can not be met, whether this is non verbal, signing, using pictures or spoken words.

Adults are the main tool in communication. Whether a child uses words to communicate or not we need to adapt our communication style to suit all children in our care.

We encourage our staff team to participate in total communication training. This enables staff to learn the basics of sign language and some songs using words and sign. We always use the word when signing.

This course teaches us the importance of non verbal communication with children. It also teaches us the importance of using a real object with the children, rather than a picture.

Visuals are permanent, they allow children to make a choice and express a preference.

Below are a few of the important Makaton signs, we teach the Children at our nursery:

• Please
• Thank you
• Toilet
• Nappy
• Good morning
• Food
• More
• Drink
• Mummy
• Daddy

The children also thoroughly enjoy learning signs that link to the time of year or the topic they are learning about.