Lisa Houghton & Tracey Park are based in Lytham St Annes on the Fylde Coast, in Lancashire.
They are both paediatric Speech & Language Therapists, with over 30 years experience between them.
They were inspired to set up Talking Tots, as for several years they had been noticing a decline in the social & communication skills of the general pre school population.
There are many pre school classes that focus on music, movement, dance or messy play – there are NO other classes that focus on one of the most important, complex skills that we ever learn …. communication.
They have extensive experience developing children’s language and the unique sessions plans were developed over many years.
They have liaised with a variety of other Early Years specialists, such as Teachers, Educational Psychologists, Paediatricians and Speech & Language Therapy colleagues.
The first classes that they started became so popular that they realised that they had something that parents wanted and that no other pre school groups were offering.
So they decided to launch Talking Tots throughout the UK, by franchising the business …… Talking Tots classes are now running across the country. |
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The Basic Skills Agency reported a significant drop in the speaking and listening skills of British children.
In a report in 2002, the Agency found that 66% of primary school head teachers believe that only half of all children entering school have the communication skills they need for an effective start to learning.
Basic Skills Agency (2002). |
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a framework produced by the DfES and sets the standards for learning and development of children age 0-5.
"Children's learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening, being read to and beginning to read and write must be supported and extended. They must be provided with opportunity and encouragement to use their skills in a range of situations and for a range of purposes, and be supported in developing the confidence and disposition to do so."
(EYFS, 2.9) |
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