English at KS1 and communication difficulties

The National Curriculum for English is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 1 (KS1) covers years 1-2, children aged 5-7 years.

Read the section on communication difficulties that applies across subject areas and levels for an explanation of the main issues.

You can:

• Introduce new words gradually and in context. Encourage the child to show a consistent yes/no response and to make choices. Introduce new words to their choice–making where relevant. Ensure vocabulary is understood before moving on and don’t be afraid to revisit and repeat new vocabulary.
• Enable the child to communicate more sophisticated ideas by asking questions that lead to more profound understanding, even if they reply using ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
• Use topics that are of interest to the child; let them choose music, a drink, or what colours to use in art.
• Symbols can be introduced as part of a speech and language therapy programme.
• If a child is being supported through speech and language therapy, make sure all staff are aware and can reinforce it through practice.
• For the child who is verbal but struggles to understand concepts, support learning with visual clues and as much of a multisensory approach as possible.
• The Skoog, is very useful for recording words and encouraging a child to sequence them in sentences, or to syllabise chunks of words. The literacy support program Clicker 6 is useful for supporting children with communication difficulties.
• Try developing speech and concepts through cartoons and picture storyboards. Encourage the child to explain what is happening and what is about to happen.  These storyboards can be used to work on any aspect of speech such as pronouns, prepositions and names.