Contents

Speech, language and communication

Did you know one of the biggest influences on my development is what happens in the home?

It is what you do that is really important, particularly with helping me to speak and communicate.

NHS Oxleas logo
  • while you may speak with me all the time, reading and looking at books means that I can listen to words and find out about many different things that I might not see and hear every day
  • by sharing books with me and talking about what is happening in the pictures, you will help me develop my words and sentences
  • many studies show that reading to babies and toddlers gives them a head start and helps to prepare them for school and later life

View top tips for talking on the Pacey website

6 months

  • Chat - I make noises, cry, gurgle, babble, coo, move tongue
  • Listen - I like looking at your face when you talk, sing, make sounds
  • Join in - I sometimes smile at you when you smile. I like to look at the pages in a book when shown

1 year

  • Chat - I make repetitive sounds - mama, dada, baba and use recognisable single words
  • Listen - I move my head towards sound and my name, wave when someone says “bye- bye”. I look at things you show me
  • Join in - I am starting to take turns in conversation - listening and looking at you when you talk and when you stop, I will babble/ make noises. I can move my body when I hear music

18 months

  • Chat - I like to explore toys and objects that look interesting. I will use more single recognisable words and may start to put words together
  • Listen - I will watch you as you hold things out to me, or point to things. I can understand simple phrases, “change nappy”
  • Join in - I can point to objects or find them when you say familiar things. I enjoy playing peek-a-boo and singing rhymes with actions

2 years

  • Chat - I am starting to put words together, “byebye daddy”
  • Listen - I can understand simple questions, “where’s teddy?” When looking at a book, I will name or make the sound of things. I join in with actions of songs and sing some of the words
  • Join in - I enjoy pretending, using a phone and chatting, making you tea with a cup. I copy phrases you say “oh dear”, “all gone”

3 years

  • Chat - am putting 3 or more words together
  • Listen - I can remember and join in with songs and phrases in books. I like it when you change voice for characters in books. I can follow simple instructions and find things when you ask “where/ what is…..?”
  • Join in - I enjoy and join in with real conversations. I like to use objects and gestures to help you understand

4 years

  • Chat - I am asking lots of questions to help me make sense of the world. When speaking I am including words like; because, and, like, if
  • Listen - I can talk about and answer questions about a familiar story. I can follow instructions if I am not busy playing. When you ask me questions, I can answer you
  • Join in - I enjoy playing games with others and making up games. I can tell you things that happened yesterday and what might happen tomorrow. I can use lots of words about things that interest me (galaxy, space, infinity) and enjoy hearing new words

5 years

  • Chat - I am speaking using adult like sentences and I can explain things and talk about my experiences. I like to pretend to be other people and make up stories
  • Listen - I can understand more complicated information and follow more complex instructions
  • Join in - I like you to use lots of new words and talk with me about what I am doing or what I have done

Television, screentime and children’s speech & language development

Screen time

Some research suggests that 0 to 2-year-olds should not have access to screens as it can affect their speech and communication. For children aged 2-5 years, limit screen time to short bursts - 15 minutes a few times during the day is much better than one long session. Please check that what I am watching or playing is suitable for my age.

Did you know?

Used in the right way at the right time, screentime can be beneficial, but too much can be harmful to children’s early communication development, particularly very young children.

Balance is the key - children’s communication skills develop more quickly by physically playing with toys and interacting with you and those around them, rather than watching or playing on screens.

How much screen time should my child have?

  • 0 to 2 years - some research suggests children should not have screen time except for “video chatting”
  • 2 to 5 years - balance screen time with other activities that are good for your child’s development, like physical and creative play, sharing books and socialising

A few short periods of screen time (15 minutes) during the day is much better than one long period.

Try to:

  • check programmes/activities are appropriate for your child’s age (eg. YouTube/ TV/ Films) - we don’t want them watching things which may upset or distress them
  • turn the TV off when no one is watching and at meal times - constant background noise can distract you and your children from other family activities
  • be with your child when they are watching TV or playing on a screen - you will help develop their vocabulary (words they are using) by talking about what you are both watching or doing
  • avoid screens before bed and don’t have them in your child’s bedroom - using screens before bed can affect how easy it is for your child to get to sleep.
  • have ‘tech-free’ times as a family - all screens are put away and you can enjoy shared activities as a family together
  • and don’t forget - if we are trying to reduce our child’s screen time, we also need to check how much time we spend on our phones and iPads

Is English not your home language?

It is fantastic to be able to speak more than one language.

Graphic showing different words of communication in different languages

Did you know?

  • Use the language you are most comfortable speaking - you do not have to speak English at home, even if your child is going to a school or nursery where English is spoken. Your child will quickly learn English when they start nursery/school, particularly if they are already fluent in your home language
  • Don’t worry if your child responds in another language! Continue to speak in your chosen language/s with your child. If they respond, the message has been understood!
  • Your child will learn English more easily if they have a good knowledge of their home language
  • Some bilingual children will have speech, language and communication needs, just like children who are learning one language

Try to:

  • share stories and traditions from your country with your child’s preschool/school
  • If you speak more than one language, use both languages but at different times
  • children need opportunities to practise their languages by listening and responding to other people
  • have fun with rhymes and songs in your home language
  • share books, look at the pictures and talk about what is happening in the pictures - it doesn’t matter what language the book is written in

Concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication skills?

Please talk to your Health Visitor, Preschool Staff, GP or contact your Speech & Language Therapy Team on 0203 004 0092.

Follow us on Twitter @BexleySLT #bexleybrightideas.