Children's Speech & Language Therapy - Kingston

25/08/2026

It's nearly back to school time! 📚✨

We know going back to school after a break can be difficult for some children and young people, so here are some tried and trusted tips to help them (and you!) as they transition back into school mode.

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."- Winnie-the-Pooh

18/08/2026

🎒 Is your child getting ready to start school?

Although there are still a few weeks to go before many children start school, now is a great time to gently prepare for this exciting new chapter. There’s no need to rush or turn it into “school work” - everyday play, conversations and routines can all help children build the skills they’ll need.

We love this helpful resource from BBC Tiny Happy People, packed with practical advice and ideas to help children develop some of the skills they’ll need as they begin school. 💬👂🧸

👉 Skills for starting school – advice for parents:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/topics/cr4rez0de6vt

Remember, every child develops at their own pace. Small, everyday interactions-chatting, playing, sharing books, singing songs and giving children opportunities to communicate - can make a real difference. ❤️

13/08/2026

Looking for simple ways to support your child's communication skills over the summer? ☀️💬

You don't need expensive activities or hours of planning- some of the best opportunities happen in everyday moments. Whether you're chatting over lunch, reading a story, playing "I Spy," or looking through family photos together, these small interactions can make a big difference.

This helpful guide from Speech and Language UK shares easy, fun activities and practical tips to help children build their speech, language, and communication skills during the holidays. It's full of ideas that fit naturally into family life and can be enjoyed wherever summer takes you.

Take a look and try a few together! 💙

https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/tips-and-activities-to-boost-your-childs-communication-skills-this-summer/

04/08/2026

Looking for a fun way to keep everyone learning over the summer holidays? ☀️

Why not try the Something Special Makaton Holiday Quiz together? It's a great activity for parents, children, and teenagers to enjoy as a family while practising communication skills and learning some useful Makaton signs.

See how many you can get right, learn something new together, and make it part of your summer fun! 💙

Take the quiz here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/puzzles/something-special-makaton-quiz-holidays

28/07/2026

✈️ Travelling by plane with an autistic child or young person?

Flying can feel overwhelming, but a little preparation can make a big difference. We've created this set of graphics to share some tips for airports and air travel.

For more information on the support you can find at the airport take a look at this link: https://autismdetect.co.uk/travelling-tips-for-children-with-autism-on-an-airplane/

22/07/2026

✨ Supporting independence starts with making routines easier to follow.

Visual checklists like this can be a great support for secondary school students, especially those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), ADHD, autism or executive functioning differences.

Although they might seem like a simple organisational tool, resources like this actually support many of the skills that speech and language therapists work on, including:
🗣️ Understanding and following multi-step instructions
🧠 Executive functioning (planning, organisation and remembering what needs to be done)
📚 Vocabulary and comprehension of everyday school routines
⏰ Sequencing and time management
💬 Building independence and reducing the need for repeated verbal prompts

For many young people, having information presented visually reduces the cognitive load of remembering multiple tasks, helping mornings and evenings run more smoothly while increasing confidence and independence.

A great reminder that communication isn't just about talking- it's also about understanding, organising and managing everyday life.

💡 Visual supports aren't just for younger children. Many teenagers benefit from them too, even if they no longer need picture symbols and instead prefer written checklists or digital reminders.

14/07/2026

🙋What is a Visual Timetable?

A visual timetable is a picture-based schedule that shows what activities will happen and in what order.

🤷‍♀️Why use a Visual Timetable?

It helps people understand their routine, prepare for changes, and know what to expect next. Visual timetables can reduce anxiety and support independence by making information easier to understand.

💚Can I make one?

Yes! These are simple resources to make. The timetable can use photographs, symbols, drawings, or words depending on the child or young person's needs. Divide a page into columns such as 'now' 'next' 'later', and as each activity is completed, it can be ticked off, removed, or moved to a “finished” section to show progress through the day.

07/07/2026

When a child starts to stammer, it can bring many questions and concerns for parents. 💙

"My Stammering Child" is a powerful short film that helps families understand stammering, see the world through a child's eyes, and learn simple ways to offer support, patience, and encouragement.

Every child deserves to be heard, valued, and given the confidence to express themselves at their own pace.

Following the success of the award nominated film ‘My Stammering Ta...

30/06/2026

That one pink flower represents the time a child may spend in speech therapy each week. The rest? That’s where caregivers come in. 🌸

Progress doesn’t happen only during sessions- it happens in everyday moments: during play, meals, bath time, car rides, and bedtime stories. When caregivers use strategies consistently at home, children get hundreds of opportunities to practice and grow. Speech therapy is most powerful when it becomes part of daily life. 💛

We love this graphic! What a great way to visualise the importance of caregivers in speech and language development.