Talking together

Every gurgle, giggle and babble are steps towards talking!

Talking to your baby grows language connections in their brain and helps them to learn to talk. The first three years are particularly important.

Babies

Our babies love to hear our voices. As early as when they are in the womb, they start to tune into the voices and sounds around them and often respond to more familiar voices.

Recommendations

Help your baby to listen by facing them and making eye contact.

Talk to your baby throughout the day about what you are doing. If you are not sure what to say you could read a book or sing a song.

Help you baby to listen by turning off the TV and phone when you talk to them.

Copy sounds such as babbling and the faces your baby makes, wait for a pause in their sound making and then respond, this is early turn taking.

Play games and read to your baby. They will love to be close to you and hear your voice and have fun.senses, touching, smelling, listening, tasting and looking.

Toddlers

Talking together is one of the best ways to help your child’s speech and language develop.

Recommendations

Make every moment a talking opportunity. Get down to their level, make eye contact and show you are interested.

Speak slowly and clearly and repeat new words often.

Read books as often as you can. Read favourite books over and over. Books with lots of repetition are good at this age.

At bath time sing songs, splash and make silly sounds together.

Sing nursery rhymes with your toddler when you are out and about or in the garden.

At mealtimes, talk to your toddler about the different foods you like.

Limit your child’s daily tv time, playing and listening to stories is more helpful when they’re learning to talk.

Make it fun! Use silly voices and act out stories.