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A CAMPAIGN, which aims to improve the language and learning skills of children in Leicester, is to be launched by the city council.
The Talk Matters campaign aims to ensure that everyone in the city who comes into contact with young children understands the importance of talking to babies as soon as they are born, and can help them to develop their language skills as they grow.
Assessments of children just about to start school in the city show that around 70% of them do not have the language skills expected at age five.
Cllr Vi Dempster, Cabinet member for children and young peopleâs services said: âThis work is very important to our plans to raise educational attainment in Leicester. If children donât have the language skills they need at age five, they will always be playing catch-up in school, and this could affect them for the rest of their lives.
âThe aim of this campaign is to make sure people understand why they need to communicate better with their babies and children. And we will be offering training and support to parents and those who work with children, so that they can help them to become skilful and confident communicatorsâ.
The council, working with health professionals from the Leicester Primary are Trust (LCPT), has developed an early yearsâ communication strategy, which sets out how it aims to raise childrenâs communication and language skills over the next three years.
Its plans include: developing a training programme for the childrenâs workforce; working with professionals in childrenâs centres to set up a screening service to spot language problems; offering a quality assurance award to early yearsâ providers to encourage them to take part.
Specially-trained teachers and speech language therapists will train workers who lead teams in schools and other settings, those who work with children who have delayed language, and those who work with vulnerable children.
It also wants to bring together a team of experts from different city organisations, to help to measure the success of the strategy and get more people involved in it.
The strategy is believed to be one of the first of its kind, because of the way it links with other council work under way, including the councilâs parenting strategy, and the Transforming Leicesterâs Learning plan. It also fits with the partnership work between the PCT and Leicesterâs libraries to make books available to young children through the Bookstart strategy.
The council will also be working with I CAN â a national charity that supports children with delayed language skillsâ to implement the strategy.
Research by I CAN published in 2006 found that children with language delay are more likely to have difficulty mixing with their peers and forming real fri
Latest News
Keep your home secure and enjoy the summer | |
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![]() | Keep your home secure and enjoy the summerSummer burglary campaign adviceAs the weather warms up Leicestershire Police is reminding residents to secure their windows and doors every time they leave their homes. The force is launching a summer campaign to help prevent an increase in burglaries across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.... 25 May 2012 Keep your home secure and enjoy the summer |
Jewellery stolen in robbery on Launde Road | |
![]() | Jewellery stolen in robbery on Launde RoadOfficers are appealing for witnesses following a robbery on Launde Road, Oadby. The incident took place on Tuesday, May 8 at around 3pm.... 25 May 2012 Jewellery stolen in robbery on Launde Road |
'Protect your gold leaflets issued in Leicester | |
![]() | 'Protect your gold leaflets issued in LeicesterAdvice leaflet issuedAdvice leaflets will be distributed in Leicester this weekend urging residents to protect your gold. The leaflets - which contain crime prevention tips and urge residents to report any suspicious activity - are being pushed through letterboxes and handed out in places of worship and community centres to raise awareness of a recent rise in burglaries in which Asian gold jewellery has been targeted.... 25 May 2012 'Protect your gold leaflets issued in Leicester |
New technology boosts independence | |
![]() | Adults & Communities24 May 2012New technology boosts independenceCutting edge technology provided by the county council is helping people to stay in their own homes, giving peace of mind to their relatives. Maisie Walker from Shepshed is enjoying her freedom again, despite epilepsy, thanks to Leicestershire County Council.... 24 May 2012 New technology boosts independence |
Businesses to benefit from successful transport bid | |
![]() | Environment & Transport24 May 2012Businesses to benefit from successful transport bid Leicestershire County Council has today learned it has been successful in a bid for 4m to boost sustainable transport. The Government cash will benefit businesses and residents, primarily in and around Loughborough and Coalville, by funding schemes designed to alleviate congestion, boost the local economy and reduce carbon.... 24 May 2012 Businesses to benefit from successful transport bid |
Related News
Town Hall Square Play Day | |
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![]() | LEICESTERâ S Town Hall Square will be transformed into a childrenâ s paradise on Wednesday to mark national Play Day.... 30 Jul 2008 Town Hall Square Play Day |
Reading scheme success | |
![]() | A READING scheme thatâ s transforming the lives of children who have been struggling to read, is celebrating more success this week.... 07 Jul 2008 Reading scheme success |
Children's cycle training | |
![]() | ng the week commencing 18th August, Bikeability instructors will be offering free cycle training sessions to children to help them develop the skills and confidence they need to ride safely on roads.... 30 Jul 2008 Children's cycle training |
Primary school plans | |
![]() | S to spend more than £150 million on Leicesterâ s primary schools have been launched.... 30 Jun 2008 Primary school plans |
Play area improvements | |
![]() | > MORE than £300,000 of improvements are to be made to six city play areas. The city council is planning to upgrade its play areas in Braunstone Park, Evington Park, Overton Road, Sturdee Road, Westcotes park, and Thirlmere/Walnut Street. Funding for the improvements will come from the Department for Children, Families and Schoolsâ Playbuilder fund. Leicester has been awarded £1.2million from the fund to pay for a three-year programme of work. Cllr Andy Connelly, Cabinet member for culture said: â We are committed to improving our play areas and we will start work first on the areas most in need of improvement. Over the next three years we will create and refurbish up to 19 play areas. â Children and parents will see big improvements to their play areas, increasing their enjoyment of these well-loved facilities.â Cllr Vi Dempster, Cabinet member for children and young peopleâ s services said... 03 Sep 2008 Play area improvements |
Relevant News
Training centre to open | |
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![]() | A NEW centre offering training and help to staff at schools, colleges and universities across the region is due to open at a Leicester special school.... 05 Jun 2008 Training centre to open |
Swim scheme welcomed | |
![]() | p> CITY council leader Ross Willmott has welcomed the governmentâ s announcement that it is to fund free swimming for everyone by 2012. The Government has announced plans for free swimming to be introduced in phases over the next four years in a move to encourage more participation in sport and to make healthy exercise accessible to more people. Initially, swimming will be made free for over-60s â a policy which Leicester City Council introduced at its own pools two years ago â before being extended to include free swimming for all children and adults by 2012. Cllr Willmott said: â This is absolutely excellent news. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can take â and itâ s fun. â We are proud that Leicester was ahead of the game in offering free swimming to over-60s two years ago, and are glad to see plans to extend that offer to children and eventually all adults too. â By giving c... 06 Jun 2008 Swim scheme welcomed |
Olympic Day marked | |
![]() | p>STUDENTS from all of the cityâ s special schools and community day centres have been invited to take part in a day of sport to mark International Olympic Day on Monday 23rd June.... 19 Jun 2008 Olympic Day marked |
School kitchen opens | |
![]() | /p> A NEW state-ofâ the-art school kitchen and community café are opening at a city school. Work on the £450,000 school kitchen and a £95,000 community cafe was completed at Caldecote Community Primary School in Braunstone at the beginning of the summer term. Cllr Vi Dempster, cabinet lead for children and schools, will join teachers, pupils and member of the community to formally open the new facilities on Wednesday (25th) at 11.30am. Previously the school received hot meals from another school in the city. However, now that the new facilities have opened, food is made and served on the premises. Cllr Dempster said: â I am delighted to open the new kitchen and am particularly pleased that the school has introduced a family service approach where year five and six pupils serve food to other children. â I hope that these initiatives will encourage the take up of our excellent school m... 23 Jun 2008 School kitchen opens |
Play investment | |
![]() | icester looks set to get £1.2 million to invest in play areas over the next three years.... 24 Jun 2008 Play investment |
Most Read News (today)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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![]() | Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
![]() | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
![]() | Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
![]() | Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
![]() | Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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![]() | Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
![]() | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
![]() | Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
![]() | Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
![]() | Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Most Read News (alltime)
House burgled in Sileby | |
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![]() | House burgled in Sileby Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the report of a burglary in St Marys Road, Sileby. The incident happened at about 5pm on Tuesday April 4, when the victim, a woman in her eighties, heard a noise inside her home.... 19 Apr 2011 House burgled in Sileby |
Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam | |
![]() | Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scamTop L to R - Sandip Rana, Satish Ravat, Vishal Shah bottom L to R Bhavesh Patel and Jaswinder ChahalFive Leicester men have today (Thursday November 25) been sentenced for their part in an illegal immigration scam. Bhavesh Patel (27) of Columbine Road, Hamilton, Satish Ravat (28) of Arbour Road, Leicester, Sandip Singh Rana (29) of Moores Road, Leicester, Jaswinder Chahal (42) of Swithland Avenue, Leicester and Vishal Jitendra Shah (25) of Braemar Close, Leicester pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court at an earlier hearing to assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.... 25 Nov 2010 Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam |
Forensic Psychology | |
![]() | Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse | |
![]() | Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester RacecourseMembers from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have today (Wednesday October 27, 2010) been involved in a pre-planned exercise to test how emergency services would cope with a major incident. At 10.... 27 Oct 2010 Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse |
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
![]() | Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |





