An innovative screening tool, the Grammar and Phonology Screen (GAPS), is being trialed in 40 Tasmanian schools to detect language and literacy issues in children as young as three. Developed in the UK, GAPS can identify language disorders that are not always apparent through speech alone. This early detection is crucial since one in 14 children faces difficulties with language that can lead to literacy problems. With Australian students’ reading performance declining, early intervention through tools like GAPS is hoped to improve literacy outcomes. The screening program, currently in use at Ravenswood Primary School, is welcomed by parents like Katherine Murray-Palmer, who appreciate early checks for potential language difficulties.
