Development project on early intervention – language and literacy

Since 2014, the City of Hafnarfjörður has been systematically working on the implementation of a development project concerning early intervention in language and literacy in Hafnarfjörður's nurseries. Norderberg Nursery School was the first nursery school in Hafnarfjörður to implement the project during the 2014-2016 school years and, in the summer of 2017, published a handbook on early intervention in language stimulation for nursery school children and preparation for reading. Today, seven nurseries and one primary school have implemented the development project into their school activities and published their own handbook, while a further three nurseries are in the process of implementation. 

^{Skarðshlíðarskóli is the first primary school in Hafnarfjörður to implement the development project. Here, headteacher Ingibjörg Magnúsdóttir is seen with the school's handbook on early intervention in language stimulation and reading for primary school children.}  

Collaboration in the spirit of the learning community

The development project is being carried out in close collaboration with school leaders and contacts within each school, but the project and its implementation are led by Ásthildur Bj. Snorradóttir, a speech and language therapist for the City of Hafnarfjörður. Speech and language therapist Bjartey Sigurðardóttir has been a great support to Ásthildur in the implementation of the project in primary schools. In the spirit of the learning community, emphasis has been placed from the outset on engaging school staff in the active participation of shaping and implementing the project, as it requires an internal analysis, review and assessment of opportunities and possibilities based on the unique characteristics of each school. The aim of the development project is multifaceted, ranging from direct training for staff in literacy, language stimulation and early intervention, to the procedures and implementation at each site that collectively ensure progress and success. Each nursery school prepares its own handbook, which serves as a guide and a living reference tool for staff, and aims to coordinate professional practice and establish specific working methods. At the same time, the handbooks serve as a good foundation and model for other schools in early intervention regarding language stimulation and children's literacy development.

^{Each nursery school produces its own handbook, which serves as a guide and a living reference for staff, with the aim of coordinating professional work and establishing certain working practices. Here you can find Hörðuvalla's handbook: Our Heart's Desire.}  

The nurseries in Hafnarfjörður that have completed the implementation and prepared handbooks on the project, in addition to Norðurberg and Bjarkalundur which implemented the project in the 2016-2018 academic years, are: Álfaberg, Álfasteinn, Hlíðarberg, Hörðuvellir and Smáralundur (2017-2020). Hlíðarendi, Hraunvallar leikskóli and Vesturkot are in the process of implementation. It is planned to introduce the handbooks and procedures within each school, for parents and other professionals, as soon as circumstances allow.

The result is the fruit of a powerful collaboration.

Staff of the nursery- and primary schools in Hafnarfjörður have done an excellent job of implementing a development project concerning language and literacy, and it is hoped that the project will, in the long term, reduce the need for diagnoses at later stages, as a child is identified and provided with appropriate support and services at the first sign of concern. arises. It has been decided that a development project on early intervention for language and literacy will become part of the procedure. The Bridge's which aims to integrate and enhance the services and support of the local authority and to improve the quality of life for children, adolescents and their families. The Bridge Teams consist of professionals from the school, along with advisers from the Department of Education and Public Health and the Bridge's Family and School Services. The role of the Bridge Teams is to assess a child's situation and seek joint solutions to support the child and their family. Early intervention regarding speech and literacy will be part of this assessment.

We wholeheartedly congratulate the nurseries and primary schools that have completed the implementation of the development project on their well-done and important work in support of language development and literacy.