AN innovative new project designed to improve youngsters' communication skills has been launched in York.

The I CAN TALK! training pack aims to help professionals working with young children to increase their understanding of speech and language, which is essential for their social and emotional development and learning, especially in the early years.

It was launched by I CAN, the charity that helps children communicate, with support from Tesco Baby & Toddler Club, the largest baby club in the UK.

Elaine Armstrong, nursery manager at Leapfrog Day Nursery in York said: "I CAN TALK! is an excellent resource which I'm going to use in my nursery. I think we all need more training, even if we are qualified and working with young children every day. There is always so much more you can do to help children develop their speech and language skills."

Updated: 11:01 Wednesday, June 04, 2003