Language and literacy are critical skills for life. The Children’s Therapy Network of Manitoba (CTNM) initiated a Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) pilot project to develop resources and supports in these areas. The project consulted broadly with youth and stakeholders, reviewed current research, and investigated potential approaches and existing tools. The result of this review was a partnership with API-Enfance on Blooming Words®, a program that is successfully being used to proactively and preventatively address the language needs of children in Quebec.
What is Blooming Words®?
Blooming Words® is a bilingual early language stimulation program for children aged 18 months to 5 years of age co-developed by the non-profit organization API-Enfance and the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale. Recognized as a leading-edge practice in Quebec, it is part of a provincial telehealth project. Built on evidence-based practices, Blooming Words® was co-created with experts in speech therapy, research, education, and social innovation. From 2022 to 2024, in collaboration with the Centre de Transfert pour la Réussite Éducative au Québec, the program was adapted for early childhood educational services, preschools and kindergartens.
Blooming Words® is an online or in-person language intervention tool readily available through a web application. Designed for early childhood professionals and/or parents, it provides practical tools to detect, understand, and address language difficulties. It is simple and accessible, offering a structured language stimulation program with 3 to 7 themed training sessions. These sessions introduce effective language stimulation techniques through speech therapy video tutorials, followed by hands-on activities using books, games, and in daily routines. Training is provided by a facilitator (not an SLP) to parents or staff making implementation adaptable to different contexts. The facilitators are connected to a supporting SLP.
The Blooming Words® training course does not introduce a new method but rather aims to standardize knowledge in language stimulation in a way that is readily available to parents/caregivers or staff. Those who work in childcare facilities or with preschool children may already have a strong foundation in this area but often lack the time or resources to organize content to make it available to families or support staff. In educational settings, some teachers and educators already have a strong foundation in this area, while others may be less familiar with certain techniques and concepts. The training course is readily available and sets up common language among parents, caregivers, support staff, and speech-language pathologists, creating a space for knowledge-sharing and group reflection on best practices to support children with language difficulties.
More information: https://api-enfance.ca/en/blooming-words/
Initial Blooming Words® Pilot Project in Manitoba
Guided by the “On the PATH TO INCLUSION in MANITOBA’S K to 12 EDUCATION SYSTEM: Supporting Our Diverse Learners in Achieving Their Full Potential” (Manitoba, 2022), CTNM Provincial Management Committee (PMC) and Provincial Leadership Committee (PLC) identified a need for more SLP resources to support early literacy and language development. A 0.2 EFT term SLP position was posted to address PMC and PLC’s priorities. In February 2024, CTNM embarked on an SLP pilot project to work towards meeting early language and literacy needs, creating and disseminating resources, program implementation, and summary reporting. This team included: Kally-Anna Clinton (Project Lead, Lead Supporting SLP) Mark Robertson (CTNM Project Manager), and Heather Skelton (CTNM Clinical Research Coordinator).
The CTNM SLP Pilot Project team sought input on early literacy and language development from parents, educators, students, SLPs, and other stakeholders across the province. It was clear that to help Manitobans learn to read, children needed to boost their foundational language skills before they complete kindergarten. Therefore, parents and staff needed more resources to do so. The goal of this SLP pilot project was to find a way to support language and early literacy needs for children on the CTNM SLP waitlist and/or improve pre-literacy skills of children entering the Manitoba school system through resource development and/or coordination.
The pilot project team started by consulting with the province, reviewing background research, and evaluating tools/resources. The literature pointed to the importance of the ‘Active View of Reading’ (Duke & Cartwright, 2021) as well as Early Relational Health and Early Literacy data. Provincial consultation highlighted the need for resources to be easily accessible, available in English and French, and be available for parents or staff supporting children. It was determined that Blooming Words® fit our needs.
In July 2024 CTNM, through the Rehabilitation Centre for Children (RCC), sought out and established an agreement with API-Enfance to complete a small pilot with Blooming Words® in Manitoba. CTNM Service Partners in this pilot project included Northern Health Region, Southern Health, Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine (DSFM), and Manitoba Possible. Healthcare professionals and school staff in those regions were trained to provide Blooming Words® to parents of children on the SLP CTNM waitlist or staff in pre-school & kindergarten classrooms. SLPs were trained to support program facilitators and customize the tools for use with their existing caseload.
Through this pilot project it was determined that Blooming Words® provided an opportunity to effectively and efficiently address the pre-literacy related gaps and needs under the scope of SLP services. Feedback and results from participants in the pilot project provided qualitative and quantitative data that supported broader implementation of Blooming Words® in Manitoba. In total, 100% of parents noted progress in their child’s language development and 100% of providers saw value in offering Blooming Words® province wide. Therefore, it was strongly recommended that Blooming Words® be implemented on a province-wide basis through CTNM and its service partners. Due to its quality, fidelity, and flexibility this program could be quickly and successfully implemented in healthcare or education settings at any level of intervention (universal, waitlisted groups, or specific children) with children 18 months of age to kindergarten age.
Next Steps for Blooming Words® in Manitoba
The Rehabilitation Centre for Children and CTNM are very pleased to announce that Kally-Anna Clinton is the new SLP Resource Coordinator that will be leading the implementation of Blooming Words® in Manitoba. Kally-Anna was very successful in leading the 2024-2025 pilot of Blooming Words® in Manitoba and she will now work on provincial implementation of this program going forward. CTNM is extending the program’s benefits to school divisions, childcare facilities, and healthcare organizations.
Province-Wide Implementation
Manitoba is now in the initial phase of province-wide implementation. The CTNM team is working with service partners who are interested in adding Blooming Words® to their service pathway. In April and May 2025, the next cohorts of Manitoba service partners will begin the initial training for new facilitators, supporting SLPs, and managers. Blooming Words® training, website access and support materials are provided at no cost for parents/caregivers, teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, SLPs and any other workers participating in Blooming Words®. Further cohorts (in French and English) will continue to be organized!
Please visit www.api-enfance.ca or reach out to Kally-Anna Clinton at [email protected] for more information and how you can be part of Blooming Words® in Manitoba!
Acknowledgments
Thank you & Merci! We sincerely appreciate the contributions of everyone involved in the initial pilot project implementation of Blooming Words® in Manitoba. Without your support and dedication this would not have been possible. Thank you for the time and energy you put into each element of this new project. Thanks to your efforts there has been a meaningful and positive impact on children across the province.
We would like to recognize those who contributed to the pilot’s success:
- The Children: Thank you for your joy and inspiring us to realize what is possible. Seeing your laughter and growth is what guides our work.
- Families: Thank you for your advocacy, determination, and responsiveness. Your cooperation and openness to learning and sharing is what made this project possible.
- Cherie Murie and Nancy Klassen: Thank you both for your passion and commitment, direction, and innovation for pushing the potential within allied heath for Southern Health and Northern Health Region.
- Krista Buchanan: Your clinical guidance, curiosity, and kindness deepened the effectiveness of this pilot project. Your continued support made Blooming Words® a reality within Manitoba Possible.
- Lise Proteau-Charrière, Jeanne Rémillard, & Joel Mangin, Christine Laramée and all DSFM staff participants: Thank you for your vigor and dedication to enhance staff and student potential within the DSFM. You demonstrated what is possible with innovation and teamwork within the education system.
- Janique Durand, Lisa Wall, Nadine Clarke-Grant, Terra van Wissen and Tiffany Hanson: Thank you for your hard work and immense dedication facilitating this project in your regions. Your energy gave life to this program and was a model of the exemplary skill and collaboration that you bring to your teams as you support children and their families.
- Kelly Ring-Whiklo: Thank you for your expertise and insight during our initial consultations. Your perspectives on speech language pathology, inclusion, and education helped shape this project in meaningful ways and for that we are grateful.
- Blooming Words® & API-Enfance: Thank you for helping us bloom! We are in awe of the program your team has established. We were thrilled with our outcomes in Manitoba thanks to your partnership, guidance, professionalism, kindness, and expertise.