The scheme, which has the working title Sound Start, would be aimedprimarily at pre-school and primary school-age children and would bedesigned to complement the Government's Speech, Language andCommunication Needs (SLCN) action plan, which culminates with the 2011National Year of Speech, Language and Communication (News, 17 July and17 December, 2008.)
The project has been costed at around 3.5m, which would be fundedby the BBC, family and child focused trusts, the lottery and Governmentdepartments.
Broadcaster Susan Stranks, who launched the proposal, said, 'To learn totalk, we must first learn to listen. Language therapists confirm thatradio can add necessary balance to the predominent screen and keyboardculture that is frequently blamed for increases in obesity, attentiondisorders and language delay.'
Operating as a not-for-profit public/private partnership on one of thevacant DAB networks currently being advertised by Digital One, theproposed service would promote learning through music and movement,stories, songs and rhymes, together with family guidance andinformation, that could be broadcast into homes, early years settingsand schools.
Ms Stranks said, 'The station would give parents and early yearssettings another free resource available during the day. Some nurseriesdon't have much time for music and movement, some settings don't havemusical instruments, and the channel would solve this problem'.
A blueprint has been sent to the BBC Trust and Executive Board, theDepartment for Children, Schools and Families (DSCF) and the Departmentof Health, pending the appointment of a Communication Champion thismonth.
