Children are like sponges; they listen and learn from you!

Learning to talk and communicate more effectively with you means your toddler can express themselves and build friendships. Each child learns to speak at different stages, so try not to compare your toddler.

However, there are ways you can adapt your daily routine to help your toddler develop this vital skill..

Who can help your toddler learn how to talk?

• You: Talk, sing, read together! Be clear, give them time to respond, and embrace playtime conversations.
• Family Hubs: Join playgroups, get a WellComm screening, and access resources
• Health Visitors: Get expert support and developmental reviews.
• Sandwell Keeps Talking: Find speech tips and activities.

If you are curious to see if your child may need support, use the, Speech and Language UK, Child's progress checker. While this is not a formal assessment, it can be a great tool in helping you decide to seek help from your Health Visitor, Family Hub, or GP. This is NOT a formal assessment.

Make time for talking

Even in a busy family, there are lots of little moments to connect with your child. Nappy changes, bath time, meals, playtime, and bedtime are all great opportunities for quality time. The NHS, Better Health, Start for Life webpage has lot's of information on small changes you can make to have a big impact on your toddler's development. 

Click here for more information

Here is a great video by BBC Tiny Happy People on some activities you can do with your toddler at home:

Sandwell Talking Tips

The talking tips, have been developed right here in Sandwell!

Use these tips to boost your child's speech. All tips are suitable for children from birth to 5 years old. These tips are simple and easy to use, for more information on the talking tips visit, Sandwell Keeps Talking.

The early warning signs for when your child’s vocabulary is not as developed as it should be

• Your child is not saying a handful of words by the age of two.
• Your child is not joining words together by the age of two and a half.
• Your child cannot be understood by people outside of the family by the age of four.
• Your child is concerned about the way they sound or is showing signs of frustration when they aren’t being understood.
  

FREE sessions to help with your toddlers speech and language development

Learning through play is a natural way for your little one to learn. It's fun, engaging, and it helps them develop in many different ways. Our Family Hubs, Libraries and other community venues, offer the below sessions for FREE to support your toddlers speech and language development. 

Click here for the session finder!

Play Talk Read

Play Talk Read Sessions are interactive sessions for parents and their children under the age of 4. The sessions are led by a qualified early childhood professional who will provide parents with information and strategies on how to promote their child's language, literacy, and social-emotional development through play. The sessions also include fun activities that parents and children can do together to help their child learn and grow.

First Words Together 

First Words Together Sessions are a series of interactive sessions for parents and their children under the age of 2. The sessions are led by a qualified early childhood professional who will provide parents with information and strategies on how to promote their child's language development. The sessions also include fun activities that parents and children can do together to help their child learn new words and sounds.

Sandy Bear Story Time 

Sandy Bear Story Time Sessions are interactive story sessions for families with children under the age of 5. The sessions are led by a librarian or other qualified staff member who will read stories, sing songs, and play games to encourage early literacy and language development. These sessions also provide an opportunity for parents and carers to connect with other families and learn about resources and activities available in their community.