As part of the Building Big Futures programme, the Preparing for Life Early Years team facilitates training and co-delivers the Early Talk Boost programme to Early Years services in the Northside Partnership catchment area.  

Early Talk Boost is a targeted programme aimed at 3–4-year-old children who need help with talking and understanding words. The programme can help to boost their language skills to narrow the gap between them and their peers. ​The programme aims to accelerate children’s progress in language and communication by an average of 6 months after 9 weeks.  

The beginning of the programme introduces the characters Jake and Tizzy who are part of many of the intervention’s fun activities and storybooks.  Each week of the programme focuses on the foundations of language such Attention and Listening, Using New Words and Building Sentences. Parents are also encouraged to be part in the Early Talk Boost programme, further supporting children’s language development. Each child receives a copy of the ‘Jake and Tizzy’ books, to take home each evening, and practical strategies of how parents can encourage their child’s talking.  

Since December 2023 the PFL Early Years Team have facilitated training and co-delivered the Early Talk Boost programme to 6 local Early Years services in the Northside Partnership catchment area. Over 50 educators across the local community have been trained to deliver the programme. Over 40 children and families have participated in Early Talk Boost, which is now integral component of the Equal Start model in meeting needs of children, families and EY services.  

“The children seemed to really enjoy the Talk Boost sessions. We have noticed one child in particular has become so much more confident speaking in the classroom. They now have a broad range of vocabulary and really interacting with both teachers and children effectively.”​  -E.Y Educator

The reaction from EY services to the programme has been overwhelmingly positive. All children who have taken part in the programme progressed in their language development.  Many educators mentioned that the programme supported the children to become more confident when speaking and communicating. 

‘‘I found the smaller group worked very well for the children who were in the Talk Boost. It gave them the opportunity to speak out with confidence.’’  - E.Y Educator

‘‘The parent’s commented that their children really enjoyed the books, we will be running the programme again!’’  – E.Y Educator

Local Early Year services within the Northside Partnership catchment area of Dublin 3, Dublin 5, Dublin 13 and Dublin 17, who wish to avail of the Early Talk Boost programme or to find out more information, can contact Jelena (Early Years Programme Co-ordinator) on 087 738 4037.