Date/Time:

17/03/2020 - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Event Categories:

• Professional Learning

Description:

Early language development plays a critical role in supporting children’s overall development. How young children develop and understand language is a complex topic and is one of the key developmental milestones of early childhood. Language allows children to identify and communicate feelings, needs and emotions to others. Learning to understand, use and enjoy language is the critical first step in literacy, and the basis for learning to read and write.

Session 1: Understanding how young children learn skills to communicate and form language is essential to supporting their development and future language learning skills

Stephi West, Speech Pathologist will address key areas in early language development including:

• engaging children with language from birth to develop strong literacy skills and to further develop knowledge of early literacy and language development
• parent/family engagement to develop ways to effectively support their child’s language development
• recommended resources for children, educators, parents and primary carers.

Stephi West has significant experience in the education sector specialising in supporting students with additional needs including autism spectrum disorders, global developmental delay, syndrome disorders and other intellectual disabilities. Her approach is based on practical, everyday integration of core communication skills, as well as involving the environment and relationships to build functional language, vocabulary and interaction. Stephi has extensive experience in the areas of language development, behaviour support, foundational skills of communication, alternative communication strategies and combines the theories of well-known methods (including Intensive interaction, Floortime, Zones of Regulation, SOS Approach to Feeding and Circle of Security) to create an individualised ‘toolbox’ approach. Stephi currently works in an education facility for students with intellectual and multiple disabilities and at Psychology SA as a private clinician.

Target Group

Early Childhood Leaders and Educators.

There is no on-site parking available.  For parking options please refer to the parking map.  Tram stop #1 Greenhill Road is a 6-minute walk away.

For registration enquiries please contact Rae Dawkins.