Prospectus

2018-2019
Start date Level of study Length Location

Various dates CPD courses 4x Birley Campus,

throughout the year one-day workshops Manchester
Metropolitan
University
 Who are
Twinkleboost?
Communication is how we create social Twinkleboost is a multi award-
winning Social Enterprise that
connections with others – be it friends, works to equip new parents
families, teachers, or anyone else we with the skills they need to
boost their child’s language
encounter in life. development. Our mission is
for every child to start school
A child’s vocabulary at age 5 is one of with the communication skills
they need to succeed.
the best predictors of the qualifications
they will achieve at age 16. By running parent and child
classes, we are able to support
families through SEN programmes,
This is why it’s critical that all children classes, and training for nurseries
have the opportunity to develop strong and schools.

communication skills that will help see

them through life.

Quick facts:

11 2 RCSLT
a number
Our Our We We’ve We are supported by
classes have programme collaborate shared our
provided has won with innovative
support approach of organisations, including
to more at the The Tudor Trust,

3,000
than Unltd,
BBC Children in Need,
The National Lottery,
The Santander Foundation,
different different annual The Clothworkers Foundation,
individuals awards universities conference The Greggs Foundation

“Our mission is for every child to start school

with the communication skills they need to succeed.”

Twinkleboost Academy 2
 About the
Twinkleboost Academy
Features and benefits:
The Twinkleboost Academy has
been launched to revolutionise
speech, language and
• Practical course that utilises virtual reality,
communication training. simulations, videos, interviews, animations
and much more

We use innovative virtual training and immersive

• Access to a wealth of materials and tools
learning techniques to enhance the practice of Early
you can use immediately upon completion
Years Professionals.
of the course – including resource packs,
visuals, templates and more
Working in collaboration with the Speech and
Language Department at Manchester Metropolitan
• The programme is delivered in
University, our specialised team is led by award-
collaboration with Manchester
winning Speech and Language Therapist,
Metropolitan University Speech and
Caspian Jamie, and strives to effect real and
Language Therapy department and has
immediate change for our course attendees.
been created by an Award Winning Therapist

• This innovative course is the first instance

of immersive learning being utilised for
Speech and Language training for Early
Years Professionals in the UK.

Our teaching methods:

‘Research has found that nursery
teachers given training through
immersive learning techniques were
measured to have significantly more
understanding of children’s needs
than those trained through a typical
workshop method.’
(Katz, 2002)

The Twinkleboost Academy is the first

organisation to offer immersive learning courses
in Speech, Language and Communication skills
to Early Years Professionals.

You can find out more about Twinkleboost and the work we do at www.twinkleboost.com.

CPD courses 3 Prospectus

Course details
All our courses were created following
extensive consultations with Early Years
settings to help identify real difficulties
faced by nursery staff every day.

We use innovative teaching techniques to empower Early Years

professionals with the a toolbox of techniques and resources they
can immediately apply to their setting. We understand that your
time is precious and have created a bank of resources you can
easily use and adapt to your setting.

Examples of course activities:

• Exploring animations and case profiles of children
learning English as an additional language to select
appropriate targets, games and strategies

• Evaluating approaches to supporting children with SLCN

through real time simulations enacted by Speech and
Language Therapy Students at MMU

• Using videos of parents telling their story to design

a plan to incorporate their views

• Access 360 virtual reality videos that allow you to see

the world from the child’s point of view

Twinkleboost Academy 4
 Workshop 1:
Supporting children learning
English as an additional Language
(EAL)
This workshop is designed to help you provide
additional support for children who speak English
as a second language.
This support is fundamental to these children’s
overall development and their ability to feel included
amongst their peers, as social isolation is often
a result of children with EAL being unable to
communicate effectively with other children.
By the end of this workshop you will
be able to...
• Understand the stages of learning English
as an Additional language
• Use a toolkit of strategies to support children
learning EAL
• Understand how to support children at
tricky times such as circle time, storytime,
lunch time and toileting using a range of tools,
games and resources
• Support children learning EAL to develop
friendships with peers
• Create personalised plans to support
children learning EAL in your setting.
CPD courses
Workshop 2:
Working with parents to develop
children’s speech, language and
communication skills
This workshop focuses on the important role
parents can play in supporting their child’s speech
and language development.
You will delve into the challenges facing parents in
supporting their child, and you will learn techniques
that help you engage with parents and empower
them to help develop their child’s speech and
language skills at home.
By the end of this workshop you will
be able to...
• Understand the challenges parents
face in supporting their child’s language
development
• Overcome common barriers to engaging
parents in discussions about Speech,
Language and Communication
• Confidently raise any concerns with parents
and navigating difficult conversations
• Guide parents to relevant national
and local resources
This training session uses ground-breaking virtual
reality teaching techniques to explore strategies
to engage parents, as well as specialist coaching,
guide sheets, and phrase books that you can use in
professional settings after completing the course.
5 Prospectus
 Workshop 3:
Best practice in supporting
typical language development
This course will take you on a journey through
the different ages and stages of communication
development that children experience.
You will gain a deeper understanding of
communication development through childhood,
as well as expected milestones, and be able
to apply your new, enhanced skills to facilitate
typical language development.
By the end of this workshop you will
be able to...
• Understand key theoretical models of
language learning and impact on practice
• Understand different stages of
communication development and the
influence of environment at each stage
• Use a range of strategies to support
Speech and Language development
at each stage
• Coach colleagues to help them adapt
their communication style to suit the
needs of different children
• Critically evaluate the latest research
and use the knowledge you’ve gained
to bring new ideas to professional settings.
This training session uses innovative virtual
reality techniques to provide you with a strong
understanding of communication development
as well as including helpful resources for you
to take back to your setting.
Twinkleboost Academy
Workshop 4:
Person-centred support
for children with SLCN
In this course you will learn different strategies
to create a personalised support plan for children
with SLCN in your setting.
This course uses animations and simulations
to deepen your understanding of SLCN support
strategies. You will be equipped with tools, visuals,
and practical resources, that you can then use in
settings once you’ve completed this course.
By the end of this workshop you will
be able to...
• Create SLCN profiles that put the child
at the centre of planning and identify
suitable targets and strategies
• Use strategies to support young people
with SLCN to develop friendships and gain
independence
• Apply strategies to support behaviour
of children with SLCN
• Utilise strategies and specialist
resources to gain children’s views
and help inform planning
• Use specialist resources to support children
with SLCN at key times such as during
transitions, lunch, toilet breaks and circle time.
6

Entry requirements
The Twinkleboost Academy courses are designed
for Early Years practitioners.
The courses could be well suited to you if you
have a qualification in an early years educational
field, work with or foster young children under 5.
You can enrol on a course via our Twinkleboost
Academy website, www.twinkleboostacademy.com
Certification
Each workshop is a full course in its own right and
you will receive an attendance certificate at the
end of each training evening.
If you complete all four workshops you will receive
certification as a Twinkleboost Language Support
Assistant, subject to an annual licence fee. As
a Twinkleboost Language Support Assistant you
will have access to an online workspace where
you can benefit from monthly resource packs,
online clinical support and expertise, peer support,
and online training videos.
Twinkleboost accredited Language assistants
are able to access further training so they can
deliver Twinkleboost sessions in their own setting.
CPD courses
Course directors
and assistants:
The Twinkleboost Academy accreditation is
delivered by a specialist Speech and Language
team who use their varied backgrounds and
experience to impart invaluable knowledge
to you throughout the programme.
Course Director
Caspian Jamie
Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
Caspian is one of the UK’s leading Speech
and Language Therapists, and has received
Shine a Light’s Outstanding Achievement
Award for his work with children’s
communication. Caspian is a qualified BSc
Speech and Language Therapist, and has
been instrumental in developing The
Twinkleboost Academy course programme.
The team
Caspian is supported by a team of speech
and language therapists, therapy assistants,
and student volunteers from Manchester
Metropolitan University Speech and Language
Therapy course, who are all on-hand to help
provide additional guidance throughout the
course. The speech and language therapy
students provide specialist coaching
throughout the sessions, which give
you access to one-on-one support.
7 Prospectus
Enrol in this course
If you are interested in our course you can enrol on
The Twinkleboost Academy website:

www.twinkleboostacademy.com

To find out more information

To find out more about this course, please contact us at:

victoria@twinkleboost.com

We appreciate your interest

in this course and look forward
to welcoming you to The
Twinkleboost Academy soon!