Let's Get Children Talking

Speech and Language development is the foundation for learning. Having good communication skills will support your child to socialise, learn and develop to their full potential. Therefore, any language delay can have an impact on your child’s learning at school, social relationships and lead to long term issues. Most of your child’s brain growth takes place in the first 3 years of life so for them to be exposed to a rich language environment will support them to flourish and thrive. As parents and carers you are the most important people in your children’s lives and you are the best person to support your child to develop. You can do this by making sure you provide lots of opportunities to help your child talk, listen and understand - you can do this by spending time talking and playing together.

Here’s some useful links with further information and ideas:

• Stoke Speaks Out - Stoke Speaks Out supports parents, carers and practitioners to make children’s communication ‘everybody’s business’. You will find links to a variety of tips, advice, activities and what to expect.
• Time To Talk - Start 4 Life information on how your baby and child will learn to talk and how you can support them.
• Bookstart BookTrust - Information on the Bookstart packs and how to get the best out of them for your child. Bookstart sessions are available across the county, please contact your local Children’s Centre who can provide you with information on how these are running and how to book a place.
• BBC Tiny Happy People - Information on how to make the most out of your Bookstart pack.
• 5 ways to have a lot of fun reading with your child - Tips on how to make the most out of your time reading with your child.
• NCT - Information on how to encourage children’s language development.