Milton Keynes Speech and Language Therapy Service

Milton Keynes Speech and Language Therapy Service MK SLT Service works with adults and children with speech, language, communication and swallowing di

Milton Keynes Speech and Language Therapy Service based at Milton Keynes Hospital and Eaglestone Health Centre.

Bilingualism We always encourage parents to speak to their children in their home language if this is something the fami...
13/05/2026

Bilingualism

We always encourage parents to speak to their children in their home language if this is something the family wish to do.

Being bilingual is rarely the cause of any language difficulty, but children learning two languages may master their skills in both languages at a slower rate than a child developing one language only (as different languages vary in structure, grammatical rules and vocabulary).

General tips
• Be natural – If you are confident using both languages, then do so.
If not, keep to the language that you are most comfortable with. It is important that your child is supported to learn one language well.
• Be consistent – Separate the languages by:
o Person (e.g. the first language consistently used by one parent and the second by the other parent)
o Location (e.g. the first language at home and English at nursery)
o Activity (e.g. the first language at bath time, English at breakfast etc.)

• Keep it simple – Whichever language you are using, keep your talking to short phrases. Add gestures and facial expressions to show the meaning of what you are saying.
• Keep talking – Provide your child with lots of opportunities for language learning (e.g. use songs, books, outings, games).
• Be positive – Help your child to feel successful in understanding and using language. S/he may respond in his/her first language when spoken to in English (or vice versa) or may mix words from both languages in the same phrase. This is a successful communication and demonstrates that your child is learning from both languages.

Here are some links for more information from speech and language UK and RCSLT
https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/resource-library-for-educators/children-learning-more-than-one-language/

https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/clinical-information/bilingualism/

In SLT Early Years team we support the use of signalong as a communication tool for children.What is signalong?Signalong...
07/05/2026

In SLT Early Years team we support the use of signalong as a communication tool for children.

What is signalong?

Signalong is a key word sign-supported communication system based on British sign language and is used in spoken word order. It uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to reference the link between sign and word.

Here is the link to the signalong website for more information:

https://www.signalong.org.uk/

Many children can experience glue ear where the middle ear becomes congested. Glue ear can cause your child to: • Be in...
06/05/2026

Many children can experience glue ear where the middle ear becomes congested.
Glue ear can cause your child to:

• Be inattentive and have difficulties concentrating
• Have delayed speech and language skills
• Turn up volume on TV
• Frequently need repetition
• Talk with very loud or quiet voice
• Be quiet and withdrawn or overactive with tantrums
• Find it difficult to settle at nursery or school

How can you reduce the effects of glue ear on speech and language development?

• Be aware of background noise and reduce this as much as possible e.g. turn off the T.V.
• Make sure room is well lit
• Get down to your child’s level so they can see your face
• Make sure your child is paying attention before you speak to them
• Check that your child has received the right message
• Give your child as much visual information as possible, e.g. gesture, pictures
• find quiet times to play and talk together

Deaf awareness week What is Deaf Awareness Week?Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event raising awareness about deafness ...
05/05/2026

Deaf awareness week

What is Deaf Awareness Week?
Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event raising awareness about deafness and celebrating British deaf culture, community, and history.
This year, we're taking the opportunity to raise awareness of common signs of deafness and hearing loss, to help make sure deaf children get the right support as soon as possible. We're here to support families every step of the way.
Here is a link for more information https://www.ndcs.org.uk/deaf-awareness-week

Top Tips for raising bilingual or multilingual children: • Sing and tell stories in different languages – the rhyme an...
29/04/2026

Top Tips for raising bilingual or multilingual children:

• Sing and tell stories in different languages – the rhyme and repetition help children to remember words and how they are made. Some families may find it helpful to add gesture alongside your words, as these are the same in different languages.
• Find social opportunities for your children to use their languages; they could join a group or visit relatives who speak them too.
• Spend time speaking with your child in each language, and set aside specific time to speak languages they are less used to. Don’t worry about switching between languages as this is normal, helpful and most bilingual or multilingual people do it without even realising!

For further advice, refer to this article - A speech therapist's advice on how to raise a bilingual baby - BBC Tiny Happy People

Speech and Language UK have a range of resources to help professionals and parents promote children’s speech and languag...
27/04/2026

Speech and Language UK have a range of resources to help professionals and parents promote children’s speech and language development. Take a look at their website

https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/

Book reading supports children’s vocabulary, language, attention and listening skills and social interactions. • Get fa...
24/04/2026

Book reading supports children’s vocabulary, language, attention and listening skills and social interactions.

• Get face-to-face with your child, giving eye contact and letting them see your facial expressions
• Let your child lead, if your child points to something then model what they are pointing to
• Keep your language simple and on their level, e.g. model single words if they are using a few single words and model two-word phrases if they are using a lot of single words
• Repeat words, as the more a child hears a word the more likely they would then be able to use it

Children need to learn words in different contexts, e.g. modelling a pig in a book, when you see one at the farm, in play with figures and on TV. This helps with their understanding of what the word means.

Here is a link from Cbeebies parenting about reading books together:
Listen, watch and respond: Reading books with a toddler - BBC Tiny Happy People

TOP TIP! Modelling language is important for your child’s language development. Balance your comments and questions wi...
22/04/2026

TOP TIP!

Modelling language is important for your child’s language development. Balance your comments and questions with your child so they feel less pressured to answer questions. For every one question you ask them, try to provide four comments before asking another question.

• Give your child a single word or short phrase that relates to what your child is doing or saying at that very moment…..and wait!
• Keep language simple.
• Avoid asking questions (e.g. ‘What’s this?’, ‘What’s that?’). Asking too many questions can cause the child to feel pressure to communicate.
• Interpret - Say it as if your child would if he could.

Examples of commenting:
• Single words – push, more, open, finished and up.
• Two-word phrases – blow bubble, big pig, more milk, small spoon and more puzzle.

Here is a link modelling commenting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVAoR5wd3Rg

As It’s Spring this gives you the chance to model lots of lovely language about the weather and nature! Think about: • ...
20/04/2026

As It’s Spring this gives you the chance to model lots of lovely language about the weather and nature!

Think about:
• The sounds the birds and insects make
• The actions of the birds and insects, e.g. making honey, eating worms
• Describing birds and insects, e.g. loud/quiet
• Where the birds and insects are e.g. up in the tree or on the flower
• Describing the blossom and flowers, e.g. using colours, big/small
• Describing how flowers grow, e.g. they need water and the sun to help them grow big
• Describe the weather e.g. the sun and getting warmer

Address

Standing Way
Milton Keynes
MK65AZ

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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