Speech, language and communication for children aged 0 to 5
Speech, language and communication for children aged 0 to 5
What happens in the first few years of a child’s life can shape their whole life.
Talking, reading, and playing with your child as soon as they’re born helps their brain to grow and develop.
Learning to talk and communicate well when they’re young helps children to make friends, feel good about themselves, and do better in school.
To help your child learn you can talk to them, ask questions, and listen to what they have to say. You can also read stories together, play games that involve talking, and encourage them to express themselves in their own way.
- Speech and Language UK offer more advice and information about speech, language and communication. Use Speech and Language UK’s progress checker to see what typical development looks like in children and when you should be concerned
- ICAN have resources for information such as babbling babies, early talkers, chatting with children, understanding communication development book and many more
- The National Literacy Trust has tips for talking to your baby/young child they also have Bilingual quick tips and information for the early years of child development
- The NHS has Start4life Baby - gives you the essential guide and lots of free tools for having a healthy, happy baby. The NHS also has information on learning to talk during different child age development
- NSPCC Look, Say, Sing, Play - gives you some fun and easy tips to help you bring even more Look, Say, Sing and Play into your daily routine with your baby. New tips, tailored to your child's age, each week
- Tiny happy people - provides fun development and bonding ideas for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. Tiny happy people also tips and advice on parenting
Where to go for more information in York
Use Speech and Language UK’s progress checker to see what typical development looks like in children and when you should be concerned
If you're worried about your child’s development you should first speak to either your Health Visitor or the professionals working at your child’s Early Years setting (for example, nursery, pre-school or childminder).
In York, our ‘Early Talk for York’ programme supports children aged 0 to 5 years with their speech and language. The Early Talk for York approach trains staff in early years settings and primary schools to spot any issues with children's speech, language and communication.
In addition, find information about the specialist services and advice available from York Hospital Speech and Language Therapy team.
Additional support
Speech and Language UK offer a free confidential phone call enquiry service with a Speech and Language Therapist and free online webinars for parents.
You could also contact York’s Family Information Service (FIS) who will be able to help you find additional support available in your local community.
