About

As an early childhood educator, you play a critical role in building the best possible early language, social and literacy skills for young children. But in a busy classroom with diverse needs, it can be challenging to engage every child in the kinds of rich interactions that help children learn best. When a child is quieter or harder to engage, they can sometimes be left out of interactions, and this limits their opportunities to communicate and learn.   

Teacher Talk™ is based on the Hanen Learning Language and Loving It™ Program, and is designed to support your work with all children in your care, whether they are developing typically, have a language delay or are second-language learners. 

Highlights

Evidence-based

Evidence-based

Teacher Talk is drawn from the evidence-based Learning Language and Loving It Program, which has been shown to have positive effects on children’s language development, including increased language use, increased initiation of interactions, and more frequent peer interaction. Read more about the research.

A naturalistic approach

A naturalistic approach

Teacher Talk strategies help educators find natural opportunities throughout the day to build early social, language and literacy skills. In this way, children learn in a way that’s both ongoing and fun.   

High-quality learning experience

High-quality learning experience

Participants learn the strategies in a stimulating group environment with other educators. They watch and analyse real-life video examples, participate in group discussions, and have opportunities to practice and plan how they will apply the strategies with the children they work with. 

Developed by a trusted leader in parent-implemented early language intervention

Developed by a trusted leader in early language development and intervention

Since 1975, The Hanen Centre has been at the forefront of developing evidence-based programs for parents and educators to help them build the best possible early language, literacy and social skills for all young children.

What You'll Learn

Teacher Talk consists of three trainings, each focusing on an important area of development: 


Teacher Talk™ Training A: Encouraging Language Development in Early Childhood Settings

This training shows educators how to use everyday conversations, play and daily routines to promote the communication and social development of all children, including those with language delays and those who are second language learners. Educators learn how to: 

  • Identify children’s conversational styles and the role teachers play in interactions.
  • Implement six steps to following the child’s lead:  Observe, Wait and Listen, Be Face to Face, Imitate, Interpret, Comment, and Join in and Play.
  • Help children become better conversation partners by using appropriate questions, comments and turn-taking cues.
  • Use five important steps to ensure that no child is left out of the interaction during group activities.
Teacher Talk™ Training B: Let Language Lead the Way to Literacy

This training discusses the important links between oral language development and literacy, and provides practical strategies for paving the way for children to read and write. Educators learn how to: 

  • Help children develop a positive attitude toward the use of print.
  • Choose books that match children’s interests and stages of development.
  • Use book reading as a time for interaction and conversation.
  • Make print a natural and meaningful part of every day.
Teacher Talk™ Training C: Fostering Peer Interaction in Early Childhood Settings

This training shows educators how to provide a physical and social environment that encourages peer interaction and creates many opportunities or successful interactions with other children. Educators learn how to: 

  • Make the most effective use of space in the classroom.
  • Encourage a variety of groupings for interaction.
  • Provide appropriate materials and activities.
  • Create reasons for interaction and providing specific coaching. 

Program Components

Teacher Talk is a highly interactive training series that engages you through discussions, small group activities, analysis of video examples and completion of practical Action Plans that you can take back to your classroom.

The series consists of three trainings that may be offered flexibly depending on the needs of your organization. Teacher Talk A may be offered alone, or in combination with B and/or C. Each of these three trainings may also be divided into three shorter 2.5 hour sessions:


A
Teacher Talk™ Training A: Encouraging Language Development in Early Childhood Settings (7.5 hours)
B
Teacher Talk™ Training B: Let Language Lead the Way to Literacy (7.5 hours)
C
Teacher Talk™ Training C: Fostering Peer Interaction in Early Childhood Settings (7.5 hours)

Program Resources

You’ll receive a Teacher Talk workbook for each session that allows you to personalize the content and think about how you’ll meet the needs of the individual children in your classroom.

Testimonials

What participants have said

Which Children Will Benefit?

Teacher Talk addresses the social, language and emergent literacy needs of all children birth—5 in early childhood settings. This includes children who are developing typically, have language delays or are second-language learners.  

Looking for a Teacher Talk training?

Teacher Talk trainings can be accessed in two ways:

  1. The Hanen Centre can provide a Teacher Talk Trainer

    You may request that a Hanen Certified instructor offer an online Teacher Talk training for your organization. Please send an email to [email protected] if you are interested in this option.

  2. SLPs and ECE Consultants who have a Teacher Talk license may offer the training

    Professionals who have attended the Learning Language and Loving It workshop are licensed to offer Teacher Talk. This license includes all the materials required to lead the training, including a Leaders Guide, Program Slides and a set of Teacher Talk workbooks.

If you train or consult to early childhood educators and are interested in becoming Learning Language and Loving It Certified, you may learn more here