Support for children to learn to talk and communicate

Every child deserves to have the best start in life and developing speech and language skills are crucial if a child is to reach their full potential. They need to be able to communicate to be able to learn at school, socialise with family and play with friends.

Research into brain development has shown that the first three years of a child’s life are crucial to the development of good language and communication skills.

Most children develop language skills with few problems, but some need more support. This can come from family members, childcare practitioners, early years workers, and people in their community.

Let’s Talk with Your Baby

Let’s Talk with your baby is a FREE, fun, and interactive course for all families with babies aged 3-12 months. It offers structured time to engage and play together, whilst gaining some top tips on supporting the development of babies’ speech and language skills both now and in the future.

Click here to find out more and register a place

What to do if you are worried

If you are concerned about your child’s speech and language development and think they may need some support, talk to your health visitor or GP.

You can contact us in the Early Years team for support with language development (age 0-3 years) through groups or individual support. Please contact us to request support.

If your child is 2 ½ years old, you could also ask your Heath Visitor or GP to refer your child for speech and language therapy. Alternatively you can make a referral yourself to Children’s Services at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Related websites

Gov.Wales – Talk with Me – Information and resources to help children learn to talk

Tiny Happy People – Children’s language learning – A collection of films and articles offering advice to help with children’s language skills. Check out the different collections for early language skills and top tips by children’s ages.

1^st 1,000 Days – New Parent Network – How you can encourage a child’s language development.

NHS Play and learning – Baby and toddler play ideas and tips on how to help with speech.

NHS Help your baby learn to talk – advice and tips you can try at home

I CAN’s Ages and stages – A guide to the typical stages of speech and language development in babies, children, and young people.

Aneurin Bevan Speech and Language Therapy Facebook – Like them on facebook for advice and updates.

Aneurin Bevan Speech and Language Therapy Twitter – Follow them on Twitter for advice and updates.

Welsh Government – Stages of Speech and Language Development (PDF)

NSPCC Look, Say, Sing Play Campaign – fun and easy tips to help you bring even more Look, Say, Sing and Play into your daily routine with your baby.