Thriving and getting advice for children aged 2 to 3 years

There are lots of ways to get advice for your child aged 2 to 3 years, for example:

• the BBC’s Tiny Happy People and the NHS’s Learning to Talk can help you develop your child’s language and communication skills with lots of ideas for things you can do at home and when out and about. In particular there are lots of simple ideas to be a ‘super communicator'
• the Speech and Language UK website has a progress checker you can use to help give you an idea of how your baby or child's speech language and communication skills are developing and can signpost you to support or advice as needed
• the Health Visiting Team will carry out a 2-year review (offered when your child is around 27 months old), including a detailed assessment of your child’s speech, language and communication skills. They will share important information on how to continue to support your child’s development
• depending on your preference and situation, your child may attend a childcare provider. Government funding may be available to support your child to attend nursery, preschool or childminder
• if your child attends a childcare provider or school they will have a progress check at age 2 (.pdf) as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (.pdf)
• if your child attends a childcare provider or school that is involved in Early Talk for York, their speech, language and communication will also be assessed using WellComm screening. Childcare providers or schools at Steps 2 and 3 of Early Talk for York will also have specialist trained staff who can provide support, advice and guidance for your child and you. Ask your childcare provider or school for details.
• reading with your child is one of the best ways you can support with their speech, language and communication development. Children who are read to 5 times daily (it’s OK if the books are repeated) will hear nearly 1.5 million words by the time they turn 5! York Explore have 15 sites with hundreds of books for children you can borrow for free
• there are Story Time sessions running at libraries across the city – contact your local library for details
• activities and events for babies, young children and their families happen in community venues across the city and in Raise York Family Hubs

If you're not sure where to find information or answers to your questions contact York Family Information Service on telephone: 01904 554444; text telephone: 07786202241 or email: [email protected] and an Information Officer will try and help you.