Benefits of Early Intervention

Research demonstrates that positive early childhood experiences are fundamental in healthy development in later life. Recently, a visiting specialist commented on how lucky her client was to be attending an Early Learning Centre where the educators were so attentive to children and their development. She noted that elsewhere, the specific learning needs of many children often go unnoticed and are not identified until school age.

Early childhood is an age where children develop the learning skills that they will continue to use in schooling and beyond; such as the ability to listen, follow instructions, problem solve, develop friendships, emotional regulation, motor skills and self-help skills, just to name a few! (Skills for Learning)

Here, at St Andrew’s, you can trust that if we have any concerns about your child’s development, we will talk to you about them. We will be an advocate for your child and won’t shy away from a tricky conversation. This is because we believe in the power of early intervention.

“Reading and writing float on a sea of talk.” James Britton.

Communication is the foundation for language and literacy. To be a confident reader you need to be a confident talker. Our ELC is a hive of conversation with children and educators playing, talking and listening to each other. Teaching children how to converse, interject, listen and respond is critical. 

In terms of language development, “research indicates that early intervention is one way to minimise the impacts of speech and language difficulties long term. The power of early intervention lays in the fact that the paediatric brain is most flexible and capable of change during the early years. It has also been demonstrated that therapy is likely to be more effective when administered in the early years." speechclinic.com.au

Occupational Therapy (OT) can also help in many areas of your child’s development including thinking, managing emotions, behaviour, sensory processing, social interactions, self-regulation, play as well as gross and fine motor skills. Occupational Therapists focus on a child’s strengths and work in way that considers the unique needs of their family.

We are very fortunate to have some wonderful allied health providers work onsite with children, which enhances early intervention further because it means we can regularly communicate and share strategies, ensuring a consistent approach. This takes place with both Speech and Occupational Therapy. Should you have any concerns or worries about your child’s learning and/or development, please feel welcome to discuss these with me, or your child’s educators. We are here to support you.

Alicia Flowers
Assistant Director of Early Learning