How to Help Non-Speaking Children in the Early Years: Supporting Communication Through Joy and Connection

In every setting there are children who struggle to communicate. When they’re not talking, or only using a handful of words, it can be hard to know how to help. In this book, you’ll be encouraged to spot early moments of communication and respond with clarity. You’ll find an invitation to stop doing and start noticing, to try new things and collaborate with the team around you.

The book presents key concepts in bite-size chunks, with a wealth of real-life examples from speech therapy sessions and early years settings. It explores practical strategies to help children develop their foundational speech, language and communication skills, and includes fresh ideas to:

- Build honest and supportive conversations with parents about communication needs

- Value empathy and imagination as we tune in to each child’s world

- Take a pro-neurodiversity lens to inform your practice

- Measure progress and support professional development.

Communication is core to our sense of wellbeing, personal agency and belonging. With a focus on fostering joyful moments of connection, this book offers a fresh perspective and a dose of encouragement for all early years practitioners, speech and language therapists, SENCOs and key people looking to support positive communication development in the children in their care.

Bryony Rust, aka SaLT by the Sea, is a speech and language therapist sharing her own experiences of what works with young children, learned through years of providing therapy, training practitioners and collaborating with caregivers. Bryony is also a keynote speaker and clinical supervisor, helping others navigate the surprise delights and challenges of helping young children learn to talk. Working in close partnership with families, her focus is on valuing each child’s unique contribution, fostering personal agency and a sense of belonging. To find out more, visit saltbythesea.com