Little Voices Mid Ulster

29/08/2026

A really important statistic for families and professionals❗️

Communication is vital in education. It helps children to learn, take part, build friendships and express themselves.

With speech, language and communication needs increasing, awareness and understanding are more important than ever.

Behind every statistic is a child finding their own way to communicate.

24/08/2026

Listen, look, point, sign or say,
There are so many ways to communicate each day.
Keep trying, keep learning and having fun too,
Your SLT is so proud of you! ⭐

21/08/2026

Kids really do say the funniest things in my therapy sessions 😂

Here’s a few chats I’ve had in the past few weeks. Definitely not what I was expecting… but technically, they aren’t wrong! 🤣 (well, apart from the granny one..no idea where that came from and I didn’t ask any follow up questions)

15/08/2026

If you’re worried about your child’s speech, language or communication, you may be told to “wait and see.”

But waiting isn’t always the best approach. 🛑

Why?

🙌🏻 Early support can make a real difference. The early years are an important time for communication development.

🫤 Difficulties can become more noticeable over time. As children get older, they’re expected to understand more, use more language and communicate in more complex ways.

👭Communication affects more than talking. It can impact play, learning, friendships, behaviour and confidence.

❗️You don’t need to wait for your child to “fall behind enough.” Advice and simple strategies can be helpful even when you’re not sure whether there is a difficulty.

💡 Getting advice doesn’t automatically mean therapy. Sometimes an assessment provides reassurance and ideas to support development at home.

✨ If you have concerns about your child’s communication, trust that feeling and seek advice. There’s no harm in asking and plenty to gain from understanding how best to support them.

Call/whats app: 07784418399

07/08/2026

Ending the week on a high with a message from a mummy of a lovely little boy. A wee man finding his voice. 🥳 👏🏼

25/07/2026

👏 Why do speech therapists clap syllables?

It’s a simple activity but it can be really helpful in the development of speech and language skills ✅

Clapping the beats in words helps children hear that long words are made up of smaller parts.

This can be especially helpful for children who leave out parts of words e.g. “copter” instead of “helicopter” 🚁 or “nana” instead of “banana” 🍌 By hearing and clapping each syllable, they’re learning that every part of the word is important.

Research shows that syllable awareness supports clear speech, vocabulary development and literacy skills.

So next time you’re out for a walk, reading a story or just having a chat, have a go at clapping the number of beats in a word together.

This is my wee man playing with some of his favourite vehicles and learning to clap out their syllables.

Car = 1 clap 👏🏼
Bulldozer = 3 claps 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼

(He may or may not have been paid in haribos for making this video 👀)

22/07/2026

Speech & Language at the Park 🛝

We’ve been spending a lot of time at the park this summer and I’ve been helping my little boy develop his language skills while we are there!

Here are some simple words I’ve been modelling to him:

💚 On the Swings
👉 Go, stop, again, higher, more, on, off, All done.

I pause before pushing the swing to encourage him to request “go” or “more.” I always make sure I’m in front of him too so he can see me.

🛝 On the Slide
👉 Up, down, again, climb, sit, slide, weee!

I use lots of excitement and repeat the same words each time to help build his understanding and vocabulary.

⭕️ On the Roundabout
👉 On, off, go, stop, fast, slow.

I talk about how it’s moving and change the speed to make the words meaningful.

Top Tip: Keep your language simple, repeat key words often, and most importantly, have fun! Children learn best when words are linked to real experiences and shared enjoyment.

11/07/2026

💬 What feels normal to you may feel overwhelming to someone else. Bright lights. Loud noises. Busy environments.

Many autistic people experience the world more intensely through their senses.

A little understanding can go a long way in helping someone feel comfortable and included.

09/07/2026

Nursery Rhymes + Pause = A Great Combination

One simple pause can make nursery rhymes even more beneficial for your child’s communication development!

Instead of rushing through a familiar rhyme, try pausing just before the key word. For example:

🐵 “No more monkeys jumping on the…” ⏸️

Wait a moment and give your child the chance to join in. They might:
👋 Gesture
😊 Smile
👀 Look at you
🔊 Make a sound
💬 Say the word

Every pause creates an opportunity for communication.

Pausing helps children:
✅ Process language
✅ Fill in words or sounds
✅ Build attention and anticipation
✅ Develop communication skills

And this video is evidence that you don’t even need to be a good singer 🫣

06/07/2026

Let them grow at their own pace 💞

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