How do speech and language development disorders manifest in children, and what can help those affected? To explore these questions, JMU is organising hands-on activities and discussions in the city centre on 16 October.
Speech and language development disorders (Sprachentwicklungsstörungen, SES) affect around eight per cent of all children. They can make it difficult for them to learn at school, communicate with others and take part in everyday life alongside their peers. Children with SES, for example, have difficulty forming sentences or understanding what others are saying to them - their language skills lag significantly behind those of their peers.
Nevertheless, SES is scarcely known to the general public. The team at the Lab for Communication and Language (FoKuS) at the University of Würzburg (JMU) now aims to change this. On Friday, 16 October 2026, between 2 pm and 5 pm, the team is inviting children, young people and adults in Würzburg city centre to take part in various activities and talk to researchers about language development and support options. The event marks International Speech and Language Development Disorder Day.
Programme for all age groups
The event will take place at Hugendubel am Dom. All events will be held in German. Anyone interested can take part:
- a treasure hunt through the bookshop featuring tricky puzzles and tasks for pre-school and school-age children.
- in story-reading sessions: every hour on the hour, the team will demonstrate how adults can strike up a conversation with toddlers and nursery-age children whilst looking at picture books together. Every half hour, pre-school and school-age children will read aloud themselves.
- a hands-on activity for young people and adults, focusing on effective communication. As part of this, anyone who's interested can also take part in a photo activity.
In addition, the FoKuS team will be presenting its research at an information stand and answering questions about language development and related impairments. Visitors will thus learn all about the latest scientific findings as well as support and therapy options.
Venue and registration
The event will take place at Hugendubel am Dom, Kürschnerhof 4-6, 97070 Würzburg. Admission is free. You can register in advance free of charge via the Reservix portal .
