Support communication development in early years and childcare settings with these evidence-based Early Language Handouts for Childcare Settings. Designed for Early Intervention therapists working with toddlers and preschool children with expressive language difficulties, this practical bundle helps therapists support childcare providers to use early language strategies naturally throughout the day.

These ready-to-use handouts are perfect for setting-based therapy, caregiver coaching, and supporting carryover between visits — with no prep required.

⭐ Why therapists love these childcare handouts

• No prep and ready to use immediately
• Designed for real-life childcare and preschool environments
• Supports carryover between therapy visits
• Written in caregiver-friendly language
• Encourages collaboration between therapists and childcare providers
• Supports language-rich early years environments
• Ideal for push-in and setting-based therapy models

⭐ Designed for Early Intervention and preschool settings

Encouraging childcare staff to confidently use language facilitation strategies throughout the day can sometimes feel challenging.

These evidence-based handouts were created to make this process easier by providing simple, practical examples of how to support communication development during common early years activities and routines.

The strategies are written in clear, accessible language so they can be easily understood and implemented by childcare providers and preschool staff.

⭐ These handouts aim to:

• Improve communication between therapists and childcare providers
• Support the use of early language strategies in childcare settings
• Encourage carryover of skills and strategies between visits
• Support language-rich preschool and early years environments

⭐ What’s included in this childcare settings bundle?

This bundle includes two separate Early Intervention resources.

1️⃣ Early Language Handouts for Childcare Settings

This resource includes:

• Information for therapists with ideas for use
• Detailed research overview related to:
  • Early Intervention in childcare settings
  • Early language strategies
  • Joint planning and collaboration
• Joint planning sheet
• “Language Strategies – Top Tips” sheet

⭐ 12 Early Language Strategy handouts

Each strategy handout explains how to use language facilitation strategies during common childcare activities.

Strategies included:

• Naming / Modelling
• Commenting
• Choices
• Pausing
• Following Their Lead
• Copy and Add
• Use Gestures
• Say it Again and Again
• Reduce Questions
• Communication Temptations
• Verbal Routines
• Linguistic Mapping

⭐ 20 setting-based activity handouts

Activities included:

• Circle Time
• Storytime
• Free Play
• Songs and Rhymes
• Arts and Crafts
• Water Play
• Cooking and Baking
• Going Outside
• Playground Activities
• Clean Up Time
• Snack Time
• Washing Hands
• Toileting Routines
  …and more.

Each handout includes:

• Information about the activity
• Suggested target words
• Examples of language facilitation strategies
• Practical ideas for supporting communication development

2️⃣ Early Language Skills for Childcare Settings

This resource includes 12 additional handouts focused on supporting specific early communication skills within childcare environments.

Skills targeted include:

• Attention and listening
• Turn-taking
• Gestures
• Imitation
• Symbolic sounds
• Core words
• First words
• Verbs
• Concepts
• Prepositions

Each handout provides simple, practical ideas that can be embedded naturally into everyday activities and routines.

⭐ Perfect for:

• Speech and Language Therapists / Speech-Language Pathologists
• Early Intervention therapists
• Preschool and nursery settings
• Setting-based visits and push-in therapy
• Caregiver and staff coaching
• Supporting expressive language development

⭐ Ideas for use

• Share handouts during setting-based visits
• Use the joint planning sheet to support collaboration and carryover
• Share strategies during meetings with childcare staff
• Display “strategy of the week” or “activity of the week” handouts
• Keep the handouts in a therapy binder for quick reference during visits

⭐ Why these Early Intervention handouts work so well

The handouts focus on supporting communication development during familiar, meaningful activities that naturally occur throughout the day in childcare settings.

By embedding early language strategies into real-life routines and interactions, therapists and childcare providers can create more consistent opportunities for children to hear and use language in functional contexts.

Additional information

These resources are designed for educational and therapeutic use in Early Intervention, preschool, and childcare settings.