Talking to and playing with your babyView all services

Tips to help with speech development

0 to 6 months

• Hold your baby close and look at them as you talk to them. Babies love faces and will watch you and respond as you talk.
• Chat about what you're doing as you feed, change and bathe them.
• Sing to your baby – this helps them tune in to the rhythm of language.
• Repeat the sounds your baby makes back to them – this teaches your baby lessons about listening and taking turns in a conversation.
• Talk in a sing-song voice – this helps to keep your baby's attention.

6 to 12 months

• Name and point to things you can both see, for example, "Look, a cat". This will help your baby learn words and, in time, they'll start to copy you. As your baby gets older, add more detail, such as, "Look, a black cat".
• Start looking at books with your baby – you do not have to read the words on the page, just talk about what you can see.
• Only offer a dummy when it's time for sleep. It's hard to learn to talk with a dummy in your mouth. Aim to stop using dummies completely by 12 months.
• Play games like "peek-a-boo" and "round and round the garden". This teaches your baby important skills like taking turns, paying attention and listening.

Here are some tips and activities to help your baby develop their speech skills:

• try playing with things your baby is interested in, and be at their level physically while you're playing together
• as soon as you notice your baby looking or pointing at something, talk about it before their attention moves on to something else – that might be within a couple of seconds for babies
• use picture books to introduce your baby to new things – point to the pictures and say what you see
• take turns to make noises or speak with your baby, even with young babies, as you can respond to their babbling by copying back the sounds you hear and then waiting for them to take another turn
• make reading, singing and playing fun by using lots of actions and different voices
• use the same song or book – babies and young children learn a lot when they are familiar with particular songs and books
• talk to your baby in short, simple sentences, as it helps them understand what you are saying and makes it easier for them to have a go at copying when they are ready

Video: Copy your baby!

Watch this video of a dad copying the noises of his newborn baby. They are having such a good chat!

Ideas to help your baby learn

Here are some ideas to help your child learn by chatting, playing and reading with them.

Make daily routines fun

• At bath time you could talk about the water and the sounds it makes.
• Spend time talking to your baby face-to-face about anything and everything.
• See if your baby can copy you when you stick out your tongue or blink your eyes.
• Respond to your baby when they make noises – try saying things like "Wow, you can make loud noises!".
• Match your actions to what you're saying, like waving when you say bye.
• Play with everyday items together – you could put some in a bag and talk about what they are as your child pulls them out.
• Join in playtime activities like peekaboo saying things like, "Where are you? There you are!".
• Chat to your baby about the things they can see, for example, "Look at the car".
• Look at very simple picture books with your child together and describe the pictures to your baby.
• At bedtime, look at a simple picture book with your child, notice what they are looking at and describe the image.

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  Use music and sounds

  • Act out actions in songs, for example, "Row, row, row your boat".
  • Read together – try using books with textures that your baby can feel.

Video: Storytime

Watch this video of a mum and baby sharing a story together. The baby loves hearing her mum describe the animals in the zoo.

Learning more than one language

It's important to talk to your child in the language or languages you use.

A child learning more than one language should babble and say their first words in the same way as a child learning one language.

It is important not to confuse this slight delay with language difficulties – most children quickly catch up.

For more help on languages, have a look at the parent's questions on the National Literacy Trust website.

Help and advice

At about 12 months, your health visitor will talk to you about your baby's development. They will let you know if your baby needs a little extra support. They may also suggest local activities.

Ask your health visiting team for support whenever you need it, they will be able to provide tips and advice.

Remember, children learn to talk at different ages. If you are worried, speak to your health visitor or nursery key worker, or contact your local speech and language therapy service for advice.

For more ideas on how you can help your child, visit:

• Tiny Happy People
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists: Speech and language therapy
• Speech and Language UK

 -Start4life

-nhs.uk

Tips to help with speech development

12 to 18 months

• If your child is trying to say a word but gets it wrong, say the word properly. For example, if they point to a cat and say "Ca!" you should respond with, "Yes, it's a cat". Do not criticise or tell them off for getting the word wrong.
• Increase your child's vocabulary by giving them choices, such as, "Do you want an apple or a banana?".
• Toys and books that make a noise will help your child's listening skills.
• Enjoy singing nursery rhymes and songs together as your baby grows, especially those with actions, such as "Pat-a-cake", "Row, row, row your boat" and "Wind the bobbin up". Doing the actions helps your child to remember the words.

18 to 24 months

• Repeat words, for example, "Where are your shoes?", "Are you wearing blue shoes today?" and "Let's put your shoes on". Repetition helps your child to remember words.
• Use simple instructions – your child will understand some instructions at this age, such as "Get your coat" or '"Shut the door". Keeping instructions short and simple will help your child understand.
• Try asking "Where's your..." – ask your child to point to their ear, nose, foot, and so on.
• Limit your child's daily TV time to no more than 30 minutes for children younger than 24 months. Playing and listening to stories is more helpful when they're learning to talk.

Here are some tips and activities to help your child develop their speech skills:

• try playing with things your child is interested in, and be at their level physically while you're playing together
• notice what your child is looking or pointing at and talk about it, try to do this before their attention moves on to something else – that might be within a couple of seconds for babies and toddlers
• use picture books to introduce your child to new things – point to the pictures and say what you see
• take turns to make noises or speak with your child, as you can respond to their babbling by copying back the sounds you hear and then waiting for them to take another turn
• make reading, singing and playing fun by using lots of actions and different voices
• use the same song or book – young children learn a lot when they are familiar with particular songs and books
• talk to your child in short, simple sentences, as it helps them understand what you are saying and makes it easier for them to have a go at copying when they're ready

Video: Singing

Watch this video of a mum singing to her child. Songs are a great way to help your child learn about language.

Ideas to help your toddler learn

Here are some ideas to help your child learn by chatting, playing and reading with them.

• Name objects and offer your child choices, for example, "Do you want an apple or an orange?".
• Say the names of the foods your child is eating and talk about what they're like using words like, "sweet", "sour", "round", "smooth" "cold", "warm".
• Look at picture books together – give your child time to point things out and talk about what they can see using words for actions and things, for example, "The baby is sleeping".
• Draw simple pictures and encourage your child to add marks and colours while you talk about them.
• Find songs and rhymes that use gestures and objects.
• Play pretend games together like teddy bears picnic.
• Combine water play with pretend play by giving dolly a bath – talk about what you are doing, like "Wash dolly's legs", "Wash dolly's tummy".
• Pretend to be a rabbit as you bite into a carrot, or a mouse nibbling some cheese – make sure you both have some food to try!

 -Start4life

-nhs.uk

Tips to help with speech development

Here are some tips and activities to help your child develop their speech skills:

• try playing with things your child is interested in, and be at their level physically while you're playing together.
• as soon as you notice your child looking or pointing at something, talk about it before their attention moves on to something else
• use picture books to introduce your child to new things and point to the pictures and say what you see
• take turns to make noises or speak – slow down your speech, give them plenty of time to respond and listen carefully to what they have to say
• make reading, singing and playing fun by using lots of actions and different voices
• use the same song or book, as young children learn a lot from singing the same song or looking at the same book again and again
• talk to your child in short, simple sentences, as it helps them understand what you are saying and makes it easier for them to have a go at copying when they are ready
• Help them build sentences – your child will start to put simple sentences together at around age 2. Try to reply using sentences that are a few words longer. For example, if they say, "sock off", respond with "yes, we're taking your sock off".
• Get your child's attention by saying their name at the start of a sentence. If you ask a question, give them plenty of time to answer you.
• Teach them about words that go together – for example, you could show them a ball, teddy and a rattle and then say the word ‘toy’.
• Start using sounds with meaning (symbolic sounds), like saying "whoops" or "uh-oh" when you drop something accidentally, or saying "meow" while showing them a picture of a cat.
• Switch off the television and radio – background noise makes it harder for your child to listen to you.
• Talk as you clean – children this age love to help. Chat about what you're doing as you do chores like shopping, cooking and cleaning together.

The I Can website has more information about stages of speech and language development at different ages.

Video: Play the memory game

Watch this video of a grandma and her grandson playing a fun memory game. They take turns naming different household objects. But can they remember which one has gone?

Video: when will my child start talking? (12 to 30 months)

In this video, a health visitor talks about when you should expect your child to start talking.

 -Start4life

-nhs.uk

If you're worried about your child's speech or language development, talk to your GP or health visitor. If necessary, they will refer your child to your local speech and language therapy department.

You can also speak to the SEND Link Worker or staff at your local Children's Centre.

If you prefer, you can refer your child to a speech and language therapist yourself.

The I Can website has answers to common questions about speech and language assessments and also information about the assessment services it offers.

 -nhs.uk

• Some children find it difficult to know which sounds to use in a word and this may make their speech hard to understand.   
• Your child may make mix sounds up as their speech is developing, they are not being lazy; this is a normal part of their speech sound development. 
• However, some children continue to have difficulty using the correct sounds, these children may require Speech and Language Therapy. 
• If your child says words that are not clear don’t correct them. Instead ‘model’ the word back to them using the right speech sounds (focus on what your child says, not how they say it).  Don’t ask your child to repeat words if they make an error,  just repeat it back to them correctly.
• Encourage your child to use gestures and actions to help you understand what they are saying or to show you what they want.
• Remember to take your child’s dummy out when they are trying to talk. 
• Look at www.talkingpoint.org.uk for more information on speech sound development  and extra talking tips.

For more information visit www.alderhey.nhs.uk 

Ideas to help your child play and learn

You can give your child lots of different opportunities to play, and it does not need to be difficult or expensive.

For example, you can:

• look at books and sing songs and nursery rhymes with your child – it's fun and will help them develop language and communication skills
• use things that you've already got lying around the house
• get involved yourself – your child will learn more from you than they will from any toy

Play ideas at any age

Playing with water

Babies, toddlers and young children love playing with water – in the bath, paddling pool or just using the sink or a plastic bowl.

Use plastic bottles for pouring and squirting each other, plastic tubing, a sponge, a colander, straws, a funnel, spoons and anything else that's unbreakable.

Never leave a young child alone in the bath or playing with water. A baby or young child can drown in less than 5 centimetres (2 inches) of water.

Reading to your baby

You can start looking at books with your baby from an early age – it will help them with their future learning. The time spent sharing books with your baby also allows you to bond with them and is good for emotional wellbeing.

Even before babies learn to speak, they will enjoy hearing you read to them. Listening to you will give them a feel for the sounds, rhythms and rhymes of language. Even small babies like looking at picture books.

Local libraries usually have a good range of children's books. Some run story sessions for young children. Even if it's for just 10 minutes a day, looking at books with your child will help them build important skills and encourage their interest in reading.

Booktrust offers free Bookstart book packs to every child at 2 key ages before they start school. The aim is to help families enjoy reading together every day and get your child off to a flying start.

You will get a Bookstart Baby pack in your baby's first year, usually from your health visitor or other health professional. Your child will also get a Bookstart Treasure pack when they are 3 or 4 years old from their nursery, playgroup or other early years setting.

Visit the Bookstart website to enjoy interactive storybooks and games, and to find out about events at your local library. You'll also find plenty of other book recommendations.

You could also visit Words for Life for reading tips and ideas.

Play ideas from 4 months

Talk and sing to your baby cheerfully while holding them. You can also put toys near your baby so they can reach for them. Read and look at baby books together.

Play ideas from 18 months

Drawing and painting

Use crayons, felt tips or powder paint.

Firstly, show your child how to hold the crayon or paintbrush. If you do not have paper, you can use the insides of cereal boxes or old envelopes that have been cut open.

Sock puppets

Use socks and envelopes to make hand puppets. Draw faces on them or stick things on to make your own characters. Get the puppets to "talk" to each other, or to you and your child.

Walking

Encourage your child to walk with you (you may want to use reins for safety) as soon as they are able to. It might slow you down, but it's a great way for both of you to get some exercise.

Play ideas from 24 months

Dressing up

Collect old hats, bags, gloves, scarves, nighties, lengths of material, tea towels and curtains. Ask friends and relatives or try jumble sales.

Make sure there are no loose cords, strings or ribbons that could wrap around your child's neck or trip them (or you) up.

Paper plates or cut-up cereal packets make good masks. Cut slits for the eyes and attach them to your face with string or elastic.

TV and screen time

It's best to limit your child's daily screen time.

Always know what your child is watching. Watch with your child, so that you can talk together about what you're watching.

Play ideas from 30 months

Junk modelling

Collect cardboard boxes, cartons, yoghurt pots , milk bottle tops and anything else you can think of. Buy some children's glue (the type that comes with a brush is easiest to use) and help them to make whatever they like.

nhs.uk

It’s never too early to start reading with your baby. Your baby still may not understand the stories but your voice is probably their favourite sound and it’s by listening to you that they will begin to understand sounds and then words. You may prefer to show your baby a book while you turn the pages and point to the pictures and describe what’s in them. Point to the characters, colours and shapes and remember it’s ok if you don’t stick to the story. Just talking about the book will help your baby to become interested in reading and words.

Remember not to hold back on different character voices or making animal noises. Your baby will love it and will soon start to copy you. Books with simple images and crinkly pages are also great and will help develop their senses, such as touch and hearing.

Here's some advice from Suzi from a local children's centre about how reading with a child can help their speech and language development.

Chatting to your baby while playing with them is fantastic for their speech and language development. It’s also really important to keep talking to your baby at other times as well. This could be when you are out and about, changing their nappy or preparing food for them.

Point at things that you can both see and say the name such as “look, a bus” or “look, a dog”. Games like ‘peek-a-boo’ and ‘round and round the garden’ are also great for your baby to get used to listening, paying attention and taking turns.

Continue to look at picture books with them too. Big books with bright and simple pictures are great for your little one to start to understand what they are looking at. You don’t always have to read the words - you can talk and point at the things you see.

Your baby will be listening to what you are saying, how you are saying it and watching your face and body as you’re speaking. By doing this your baby’s speech and language will develop long before they say their first words.

Take a look at the film below from Lauren for advice on reading with your child.

As your little one develops different emotions, it’s likely that you’ll see some tantrums along the way. Your toddler’s brain is not developed enough to manage their own feelings and how you deal with their tantrums will have a big effect on their behaviour. Staying calm and not giving in to the tantrum will show your little one how to deal with frustration. Here are some other things you can do that will help their emotional development.

You can help your toddler manage their feelings. Talk to your little one about how they are feeling. If they are upset, ask them what is making them upset. You can tell them how you are feeling too, this will help them build a link between your feelings and your behaviour. Get down to your toddler's level and talk eye to eye.

Start to let your toddler deal with frustrations and anger themselves. Resist the temptation to jump in straight away as this will help their development. You’ll know your child’s temperament and will be the best judge of how long to leave them to manage their own feelings.

If your little one shows a lot of anger physically, you can look for signs that they are building up to a tantrum such as a red face or a tense or shaking body. You can help them from getting really worked up by distracting them before it happens with a cuddle or a game.

Take a look at the video below from Cath, Health Visitor about managing your child's behaviour.