F
The ‘F’ in FOCUS™ refers to the overall goal or Focus of each Top Talk® Session.
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One or more key learning goals will be identified as the “focus” for each session. While these will be made clear to parents, their children will just see the sessions as a bunch of great games and activities.
O
The ‘O’ in FOCUS™ refers to the development of both the carer’s and child’s Observation skills.
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The sessions encourage parents to observe their own ways of communicating, and the ways their child attempts to express themselves.
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Children’s observation skills encourage them to be aware of how, and when, people around them are communicating. This includes the development of listening skills (from turning to a loud noise as a baby, to listening to class room instructions).
C
The ‘C’ in FOCUS™ refers to how, and the reasons why we Communicate – both verbal (speaking) and non-verbal (body language) forms of communication.
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Children need to be able to use their communication – including both verbal (speaking) and non-verbal (body language) forms of communication – to get their needs met, to learn and to socialise with others.
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Concepts encompassed by this component range from the knowledge that babies “communicate” from birth, to roles and social skills for older children
U
The ‘U’ in FOCUS™ refers to Understanding of what we hear, see and read. This is often referred to as receptive language skills and encompasses auditory processing skills such as memory skills and the ability to follow instructions.
What a child understands, is forever increasing, and ranges from:
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babies understanding that words are symbols of real things and actions,
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building vocabulary, up to
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the older child understanding that the alphabet letters make sounds, these sounds join to form words and words form to make sentences (i.e., pre-reading skills – or phonological awareness skills).
S
The ‘S’ in FOCUS™ refers to Speech. This component encompasses the promotion of excellent speech clarity and intelligibility.
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It encompasses the development of expressive language. This ranges from assisting toddlers to put two words together to say their first “sentences”, to older children being able to retell events using well developed grammar and with their ideas being presented in sequenced and logical order.
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The Top Talk® Program also focuses on the need for children to project their voice and to have confidence to participate in group activities.
As your child grows, having them attend ALL Top Talk® Program sessions would ensure that they will be exposed to key communication, social, pre-reading and learning skills known to enhance communication development; as well as giving the parent and carer invaluable resources and practical methods to adopt for interacting with their children that will lay the foundations of their future interactions with their child.
Literature supporting development of the FOCUS™ System
