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Things to do a home - Songs with puppets

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Things to do a home - Songs with puppets

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Things to do at home - Supporting language through play

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Things to do at home - Supporting language through play

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Schematic play happens when babies, toddlers and young children are involved in repeated actions or certain behaviours as they explore the world around them and try to find out how things work. We call these specific actions or behaviours ‘Schemas’.

They can vary from child to child and some children may never display schematic play or behaviours. Schematic play is a natural process that children will go through when trying to figure out the world around them.

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Check out CBeebies parenting for useful advice and activities!

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Check out CBeebies parenting for useful advice and activities!

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Support and develop your child’s communication skills over on the CBeebies website, with activities, games and stories featuring Alphablocks, Mr Tumble and Yakka Dee.

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Hi everyone, my name is Laura and I am a Family Hub Practitioner in the South East Locality Hubs. I enjoy talking my dog to the beach and playing trains with my little boy. I look forward to supporting you all within the Family Hubs!

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Hello my name is Nicola and I am a Family Hub Practitioner in the South East Locality Family Hubs. I have four children aged 14, 13 and a set of 4 year old twins. As a family we enjoy lots of walks along the beach or woods with our pup Rocco. I look forward to supporting you and your family within the Family Hubs.

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Check out Tiny Happy People for useful advice and activities!

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Check out Tiny Happy People for useful advice and activities!

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Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child's language skills. Explore our simple activities and play ideas and find out about babies and toddlers' amazing early development.

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Children’s language development and parenting advice - BBC Tiny Happy People

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A chatty child is a happy child, so Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child’s communication skills through simple interaction and play.

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Check out the Start for Life Website for tips and ideas to help your child learn.

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Check out the Start for Life Website for tips and ideas to help your child learn.

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https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/learning-to-talk/1-to-2-years/#anchor-tabs

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Learning to talk takes time! Find out how you can help your toddler with their speech development. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

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Check out these top tips on how to encourage language development...

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Check out these top tips on how to encourage language development...

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https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/learning-talk-and-communication-your-baby/how-can-you-encourage-childs-language-development

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Talking, understanding others and knowing what to say are really important skills in life. Being able to communicate helps children make friends, learn and enjoy life to the full. You will be your child's first and most important teacher.

You may be wondering "when will my baby talk?". A toddler's first words usually occur between 12 and 18 months and they will continue to learn and progress quickly once they reach that milestone. Here we look at simple ways encourage and enjoy your child's language development.

Get your child's attention

Face your child or sit down with them. Say their name before you start speaking. Talk about something you can both see in front of you. This helps them to learn what words mean.

Have fun together

Use actions, sing, make noises and funny faces. Don't be shy, being a bit silly helps get their attention and makes them laugh and can encourage language development.

Comments not questions

Asking lots of questions can feel like it's a test. Make it a conversation. When you talk to your baby comment on what they are doing and what is happening instead.

Give them time to think

Children need more time than adults to think about what they've heard, and to decide what to say back. Give them time to respond, and look at them while you wait.

Use simple language

Keep your sentences short. For example, "Food time now" or "Wow, you're building a tower".

Repeat what you say

It's good to say the same thing over again. Babies and toddlers need to hear words and sentences lots of times to understand them and learn new words. This is key aspect of baby talk.

Make it easier for them to listen

Turning the music, radio or TV off helps children focus on your words.

Build on what they say

Adding one or two words to what they say helps your child onto the next stage of talking. So, if your child says "bus" you say "Yes, big bus".

Speak in your home language

It's important for children to learn their first words and sentences in their home language. Your child will learn in English later, at nursery and school.

Make it easier for them to talk

Dummies can get in the way of talking. Try to keep them just for sleep times. Take it out to talk.

Show them the right way

Young children often make mistakes. Show them that you understand, rather than asking them to repeat words correctly. Say the word or sentence again correctly for your child. If they say "Look at the dod", you can say "Yes, it's a dog".

Copy what they say

Repeat back sounds, words and sentences. Whether its "la la" or "Oh, you liked the banana?", it shows you're interested and that sounds and words are important. This can help your baby's speech development.

Talk to someone if you're worried

Some children find talking and listening harder than others. They might find it hard to understand what words and sentences mean. Some struggle to find the right words and sounds to use and put them in order. These children may need extra help.

If you are worried about your child, talk to people you know and who know your child. If you're still worried, go with your instinct. Talk to someone who can help, for example a speech and language therapist or your health visitor or GP.
This article was written using information provided by I CAN, the children's communication charity and the Talking Point website.
Further information

Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

You can also find lots more useful information and resources from I CAN.

Read The Psychology of Babies: How relationships support development from birth to two by Lynne Murray (published by Constable Robinson).

Take a look at the National Literacy Trust's website which has information about early communication skills.

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How can you encourage a child's language development? | Baby & toddler articles & support | NCT

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Here we look at communication and language development in children. We discuss how to encourage your baby to communicate and help a toddler learn to talk.

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https://www.familyhubsnorthumberland.co.uk/

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Family Hubs in Northumberland, previously Sure Start Children’s Centres

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Family Hubs Northumberland, previously known as Sure Start Children’s Centres, are spaces to meet, learn, take part in FREE activities and access help and information. We’re here to support parents and carers of children or young people between 0-19 years, or 25 with additional needs.

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Like our Facebook page to stay up to date with all our sessions and events - 'South East Locality Family Hubs'

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Like our Facebook page to stay up to date with all our sessions and events - 'South East Locality Family Hubs'

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Click here for @BlythFamilyHubs

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Click here for @FamilyHubsNland

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TDAH - Making and playing with playdough

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TDAH - Making and playing with playdough

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Peeple - charity supporting parents with children's learning

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A UK charity that supports parents & children to learn together by training professionals & working with families. Read about our Training & Programmes.

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Here is an example of how we can use ORIM when playing with playdough.

Remember ORIM is about making the most of what you are already doing.

Have a think about what activities your child enjoys and how you can use ORIM to support their early learning and development.

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Children’s Speech and Language Therapy :: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Our speech and language therapy service can support children and young people from birth to 19 who have speech, language or communication needs or difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing.

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Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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Children’s speech and language therapy :: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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Our speech and language therapy service can support children and young people from birth to 19 who have speech, language or communication needs or difficulties with eating, drinking or swallowing.