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Peep Activity sheet - Sharing books with your baby

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Peeple is a registered charity no. 1144975 in England / Wales and no. SCO44031 in Scotland, and a company limited by guarantee no. 7514469. Peep Learning Ltd is the trading subsidiary of Peeple, company registration no.04089209 and VAT no. 768 4173 94. Registered address: The Peeple Centre, Littlem…

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return

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Find out about Bookstart, the BookTrust programme that gives free books to every child in England and Wales at two key stages before school, plus free packs for children with additional needs, tips and guidance on reading together, resources and activities, and much more.

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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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Hi, my name is Amanda and I am a Family Hub Practitioner in the Central Hubs. I have worked with children and families for 19 years and have two teenage children of my own. I am a member of the National Trust and in my spare time I enjoy going for walks and exploring places in Northumberland with my family. I am really looking forward to meeting you and your family and supporting you with your child's development.

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Hi, my name is Molly and I am a Family Hub Practitioner within Central Family Hubs and I have worked here for 2 years. I love working with families to help them feel supported and valued when it comes to them and their child's development. I look forward in meeting you and working together to help you and your child achieve their development goals.

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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 - 'Central Northumberland Family Hubs'

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Like our Facebook page to stay up to date with all our sessions and events - 'Central Northumberland Family Hubs'

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Click here for @CentralFamilyHubs

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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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Click here for @FamilyHubsNland

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Making stories come to life with props - Session one

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Typically, the average age babies start saying their first words is between 12 and 18 months. Although we know that babies are all fabulously unique and you can rest assured that this means they all develop at a different pace. There is no 'right time' for your child to start saying words. However, as parents and caregivers, it can feel daunting to know where to begin to encourage babies to start talking.

How can I encourage my baby or toddler to start talking?

A lot of activities that will help your children learn to talk might be things you do already at home!

We've worked with an expert speech and language therapist to create five simple steps to help you practice these activities at home more regularly, to encourage your toddler to talk. Each tip should easily fit into your day-to-day life and support your child's speech, language and communication development.

In five simple steps, you will encourage your toddler to start talking. Each tip will show how you can use everyday interactions as well as play, songs and stories, to build confidence and encourage communication and first words.

Let's get started! Read on for our five talking tips to encourage your toddler to talk...

Talking Tip One: Be face to face with your child

Your baby learns so much from your face! When you play games like 'peek-a-boo', sing songs together or make silly noises, your baby is constantly learning new words.

Being face to face with them is an important building block for their communication - and it helps you to understand what they are telling you before they can talk.

Babies learn to talk by copying things you have said a hundred times before. Watching your mouth as you speak will help them learn how to make the sounds they need to build their first words.

Talking Tip Two: Watch and wait, let your child lead, then join in

Even before they have the words, babies and toddlers love to tell you things. Throughout the day they will show you what they do and don't like - all you have to do is watch!

During playtime, give your little one choices. Let them take the lead, watch how they like to play and then join in.

Your child will love that you show an interest in what they are doing and will be eager to tell you more and more! It's also a great way to build the special bond between you.

Talking Tip Three: Wait, give your child time to respond

We all love a good chat - and so do babies!

When you're talking to your baby or toddler, give them time to respond. Your child will communicate with you however they can - by smiling, making a sound or pointing to something.

Waiting for their response not only teaches them to take turns in a conversation, but shows them that you want to hear what they have to say. They will love to feel important!

Talking Tip Four: Talk about what your child does

While your child is awake, talk to them about what they are doing. Constantly hearing words will help them learn to talk, as they remember the sounds you have made.

When they are playing with a toy, show an interest and talk about what they're doing. You could say, 'Wow, you're making the train go fast! Where are you driving it to?'

Showing an interest in what they like, and talking about it at the same time encourages your child to learn useful words and their meanings!

Talking Tip Five: Watch how your child tells you things and put the words in

Your child is always communicating with you, even before they have the words!

Watch how they point or listen to the noises they make - this is their way of telling you something. You can help by adding the words into the conversation.

When you say the words for things they like and want, your child will know that you are listening and trying to understand them. They will be encouraged to learn and try again and again.

Are there any extra activities I can do to support my child's speech development?

If you live in Birmingham, the Black Country or the North East, you are warmly invited to join our free regular First Words Together sessions.

Come along to meet an expert team who will help you encourage your toddler to develop their speech through play, stories, songs and more. The sessions can also be a great opportunity to meet other parents in your area! These free stay and play family sessions have been created for children under two and work through the five talking tips above in fun and practical ways. Everything you learn in these sessions can easily be done at home and will support the foundations of communication for babies and toddlers.

Click here to find out where sessions are happening in your area and follow Read North East, Birmingham Forward Steps, or Black Country Reads on Facebook for regular updates.

We've also teamed up with NHS Speech and Language Therapist, Roxy Bright-Thomas, to answer your frequently asked questions and help you support your child's communication skills. Check out the FAQ on this webpage.

Remember children develop at different rates. If you have any concerns regarding your child's development please speak to your Health Visitor or your local speech and language development department.

Hear about our sessions in this video:

How can I help my child to speak if we speak a different language from English at home?

The best way to help your child learn to speak is to talk to them as much as possible in your own language. Below you can find each of our tips to encourage your child's speech development, translated into the language you are most comfortable speaking in. Find your first language below and press play to listen.

You can also read our advice and guidance about speaking to your child in your own language.

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We've put together tips on how to encourage your baby to speak. Teach your toddler their first words with these five top tips.

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5 things you will find at a peep group - session one

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Tip CL - 5 steps to early communication (play and listening)

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TDAH - Dressing up v1.1 (Play and Language)

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TDAH - Going on a space walk (Play and Language)

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TDAH - Playing roll the ball (2xA5) (play and language)

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TDAH - Sensory play - Light box (Play and language)

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chatting about your day together - session four

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5 steps to early communication (talking and listening)

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Topic handout - CL Becoming a talker v1_0

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TDAH - Becoming a talker - mouth muscles

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TDAH - Developing talking through conversations

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Peep feedback form - parents and carers (v2.4)