Children Who Don't Know Their Own Name
- Click to "Listen again" to the article on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme
On 28th July 2011 the BBC Radio 4 Today programme reported the experiences of Neil Wilson, Executive Headteacher in Wythenshawe, South Manchester, that some children entering the education system in the UK do not know their own name.
In the article which can be read on the BBC Radio 4 Today web site, Mr Wilson explains how important he believes it is to start prioritising and allocating more resources to speech and language in primary schools.
Jean Gross, the government's communication champion for children agreed that anecdotally there is a problem.
How Can Working With Others Help?
WWO has an outstanding and positive impact on enabling and teaching communication skills with children, even as young as 8 months old. WWO is based around the core principles which include
- speaking and listening - and how to teach children to do this
- breaking communication down into practical activities to practice these key, complicated skills
- equipping children with a fundamental foundation to develop self confidence, self awareness and self esteem
- recognising that names and eye contact are a key starting point for bringing groups of children and a class together - at any age
- strategies that provide opportunities for all children to learn their own name and how to connect and engage with those around them
- developing social skills and the ability to engage with their environment and to learn.
When children feel safe and secure, when they know and feel that they belong to their class and have the self confidence to participate and talk - then we know that many barriers to learning are removed and, as has been experienced in many schools across the country, the attainment of pupils increases along with their motivation, independence and core social skills.
To find out how WWO could be helping you take practical steps forward in improving communication, group learning and social skills at your Nursery, Early Years setting, Primary School, Secondary School or Special School, please contact Cathy Ota on 07817 363193 or cathy@cathyota.com
