A Parent’s Guide to the WellComm Speech and Language Toolkit
As parents, we all want to give our children the best start in life, especially when it comes to their communication skills. Speech and language development plays a crucial role in a child’s ability to express themselves, build relationships, and succeed in school. To support this important aspect of early development, our preschool in Dunstable, is using the WellComm Speech and Language Toolkit – a simple and effective way to assess and enhance young children’s speech and language abilities.
What is the WellComm Toolkit?
WellComm is a speech and language toolkit designed for children aged 6 months to 6 years. It helps preschools identify a child’s current level of speech and language development and provides engaging activities to support their progress.
One of the key benefits of WellComm is that it allows for early detection of speech and language difficulties, ensuring that children receive the right support at the right time. The toolkit includes a quick and easy screening, followed by a structured program of activities to help children build strong communication skills.
Why is Early Speech and Language Development Important?
Speech and language skills are essential for a child’s ability to:
- Understand and follow instructions
- Communicate their needs and emotions
- Develop social skills and friendships
- Build confidence in learning and play
Research shows that early intervention is key to supporting language development. If a child struggles with communication skills at an early age, they may face difficulties later in school. By using WellComm, we can identify potential concerns early and provide targeted support, giving children the tools they need to succeed.
How Does WellComm Work?
The WellComm toolkit includes a quick 10-15 minute screening that helps determine where a child is in their language development journey. This screening looks at two main areas:
- Understanding Language (Receptive Skills) – How well a child understands words, instructions, and conversations.
- Using Language (Expressive Skills) – How clearly and confidently a child speaks and expresses their thoughts.
The screening is conducted in a relaxed and playful environment, using games, observations, and conversations with both the child and their parents. Once completed, the results help us identify if extra support is needed and provide a structured plan for improvement.
What to Expect During the WellComm Screening
At our preschool, we use WellComm as part of our everyday activities to assess and support children’s speech and language development. The screening itself is quick and engaging, lasting around 10-15 minutes, and is designed to feel like a natural part of a child’s play and learning.
During the screening, we observe how well a child understands and uses language through fun and interactive activities. These might include:
- Listening games that test their ability to follow instructions
- Looking at pictures and identifying objects or actions
- Simple word and sentence building activities
Everything is done in a relaxed and supportive environment, ensuring that children feel comfortable and confident. If at any point a child becomes uninterested or disengaged, we pause and return to the activities at another time.
How WellComm Supports Your Child’s Development
Once we have assessed a child’s speech and language skills, we use the results to create a tailored plan to help them progress. If a child needs extra support, we use The Big Book of Ideas, a key part of the WellComm toolkit that provides a variety of fun, play-based activities to encourage language development.
These activities are incorporated into our daily preschool routine, ensuring that learning happens naturally and enjoyably. Through WellComm, we help children:
- Build their vocabulary and sentences
- Improve their ability to follow instructions
- Develop confidence in expressing themselves
For children who are on track with their language development, WellComm still plays an important role, as we continue to provide high quality learning opportunities that support their development.
How Can Parents Support Their Child at Home?
Although the WellComm assessments and activities are done at preschool, parental involvement is crucial in reinforcing language skills. We keep parents informed about their child’s progress via Tapestry and share simple activities that can be done at home to support continued development.
Here are a few easy ways parents can help:
- Talk, talk, talk! – Engage in everyday conversations and encourage your child to express their thoughts.
- Read together – Storytime is a fantastic way to build vocabulary.
- Sing songs and rhymes – Nursery rhymes help children learn new words and sentence patterns.
- Ask open ended questions – Instead of “Did you have fun?” try “What did you like best?”
By working together, both at preschool and at home, we can give children the best possible support in developing strong communication skills.
Tracking Progress and Next Steps
At our preschool, we don’t just assess a child’s speech and language skills once and move on, we track their progress over time to ensure they continue developing at a pace that’s right for them. As part of the WellComm process, we routinely reassess children every three months, allowing us to adjust our approach if needed.
If a child is making steady progress, we continue with engaging language building activities that strengthen their communication skills. However, if the screening highlights ongoing challenges, we work closely with parents to explore additional support options, such as:
- More targeted activities from the WellComm toolkit
- One-on-one support in preschool
- Referral to a Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) for specialist guidance
It’s important for parents to know that if a child does need extra help, this is nothing to worry about. Early intervention is key to helping children develop the skills they need before they start school, and we are here to provide reassurance, guidance, and support every step of the way.
The Benefits of WellComm for Your Child
Using the WellComm Speech and Language Toolkit in our preschool brings many benefits for children, including:
- Early identification of speech and language needs – The sooner we recognise areas for development, the sooner we can provide support.
- Play based learning – WellComm activities feel like fun, not tests, making children more engaged.
- Increased confidence – As children develop stronger communication skills, they feel more comfortable expressing themselves.
- Better school readiness – Strong language skills help children transition smoothly into reception, setting them up for success
We want every child in our preschool to feel confident in their ability to communicate, connect, and thrive and WellComm helps us achieve that.
Frequently Asked Questions from Parents
Q: How do I know if my child needs speech support?
A: Every child develops at their own pace, but if you’ve noticed that your child struggles to follow instructions, has difficulty forming sentences, or seems quieter than usual, WellComm can help us assess their needs.
Q: What happens if my child struggles with the WellComm screening?
A: The screening is designed to be fun and engaging, and there’s no “pass or fail.” If we identify areas where your child needs support, we integrate activities into their daily preschool routine to help them improve naturally.
Q: Can I do WellComm activities at home?
A: While the formal screenings happen at preschool, we share updates and suggestions with parents so you can reinforce language skills at home through simple activities like reading, singing, and talking with your child.
Final Thoughts: Helping Your Child Find Their Voice
At our preschool in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, we are committed to supporting every child’s speech and language development. The WellComm Speech and Language Toolkit is an invaluable part of our approach, helping us assess and nurture communication skills in a fun, engaging, and supportive way.
By using WellComm, we can:
- Identify children who may need extra support early on
- Provide play based activities to strengthen speech and language skills
- Work together with parents to ensure ongoing development
As a parent, your involvement is key. While we carry out WellComm screenings and activities in preschool, you play a vital role in encouraging language learning at home. Simple activities like reading together, engaging in conversations, and singing songs can make a big difference in your child’s communication journey.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your child’s speech and language development, please don’t hesitate to speak to a member of our staff team. We’re here to support you and your child every step of the way, helping them build the confidence and skills they need for a bright future.
