I CAN Stay Silent in School?

I CAN, the children’s communication charity, is calling on primary schools across the UK to get involved in a fun and engaging Sponsored Silence.

Whether for an hour, a lesson or a whole day, the Sponsored Silence programme encourages children to imagine what life is like for those children that find speaking and understanding language hard. All money raised will go to I CAN’s work with the 1.2 million children in the UK who struggle to communicate.

The Sponsored Silence activities have been designed by specialist teachers at I CAN's Meath School with curriculum-linked lesson plans which include activities that are both fun and educational to use during the silence. I CAN’s Sponsored Silence week launches on 5th March 2012 but it can be done at a time or date that is convenient to your school.

Virginia Beardshaw, I CAN Chief Executive, said, “We hope that every primary school in the UK who hears about this programme will sign up to get involved. Communication is so much more than talking and this is a fantastic opportunity for children to not only think about the daily struggle some young people face to make themselves understood, but also to develop important non-verbal communication skills.

"In addition to raising awareness of these difficulties, every penny raised will go to I CAN’s work with children who struggle with their speech, language and communication. So a huge thank you in advance to everyone who gets involved.”

Communication is the 21st century life skill but for many children and young people, speaking, forming words and self expression is a real struggle. It can leave children feeling frustrated, misunderstood and angry. And it puts them behind at nursery, school, college which prevents them from learning, making friends, forming relationships and ultimately achieving their potential.

For more information, and to register your primary school, please go to www.ican.org.uk/sponsoredsilence