AFASIC CYMRU INITIATIVES - BASIC SKILLS

There is an initiative for Wales to help all children's language skills.

Pat Davies of the Basic Skills Agency writes, "The Welsh Assembly Government is determined to break the cycle of under-achievement, which puts so many young children in Wales at a disadvantage".

In consultation with Early Years and Sure Start Partnerships, health visitors, speech and language therapists and playgroup organisations the Basic Skills Agency have developed a programme to show all parents how to stimulate the language and literacy of their babies and young children. They have a Language Co-ordinator Officer in every Local Authority.

A Learning and Play pack should now be available for 0-3 years. Language and Play aims to build on the work of the Book Trusts Bookstart Programme which provides books for babies in every family in Wales at the 7-9mth health check. For more information contact Nick Harper at nickh@basic-skills.co.uk or the Wales Hotline 0845 602 1654.