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6 - 12 Months

Babies at this age are exploring their environment and beginning to understand routines and the names of things that are important to them e.g., 'milk, mum'. They may not have any words but they are listening to you and learning. The more you talk the more they learn.

Things to do with your baby:

• People games - rhymes e.g., Wind the Bobbin, Peter & Paul, Wheels on the Bus, Baa Baa Building blocks
• Exploring familiar objects around the house
• Baby books, touch & feel books
• 'What's in the bag?'
• Place everyday items in a drawstring bag
• Encourage your baby to pick an object out of the bag
• Tell your baby what its called and let them explore it
• Pick the next toy out

12 - 18 months

Children at this age are learning to talk and understand more than they can say. They maybe trying to communicate with their attempts at words e.g. 'i - i ' = 'biscuit'

• Picture books
• Simple puzzles
• Dolly, tea set, pretend food
• Ready, steady, go games

18 months - 2 years

Your child's vocabulary should be increasing at this age. They should understand more words, be able to follow a simple instruction and they should be labelling everyday objects more often.

• Books - flap books
• Puzzles with more pieces
• Pictures & post box
• Matching pictures - e.g. simple lotto board
• More real life play e.g. play kitchens
• Choices e.g. orange or milk, apple or banana

2 - 3 years

Your child should be understanding simple sentences and putting 2 or more words together. Their vocabulary is growing day by day and new words are coming all the time.

• Play with them and show them routines using role play, toys e.g. get dolly dressed, give her dinner, put her to bed.
• Drive car to garage, fill up with petrol and park car.
• Talk about things that are happening as they happen, this helps develop the idea of here and now.
• Choices - using longer sentences e.g. do you want your red shirt or the blue `one.
• Comment on what your child is doing e.g. your brushing your teeth', 'lets put our shoes on'.
• If your child says a word differently don't tell them they have said it wrong show them you are pleased they had a go and say it back to them e.g., 'tar for car' 'yes that's right it's a car'.
• Have some special times when the TV and radio are off and you play and talk together. Encourage your child to finish an activity by saying '1 more turn then move on.
• Don't worry if your child's speech is not clear to strangers - this is normal for this age.
• While playing together describe what your child is doing with the toys e.g. you put the car under the chair.

3 - 4 years

By now your child is asking questions and is following longer sentences. This is often the time when language skills explode and you can no longer count the words they know. They should be using at least 3 words in a sentence.

• Don't worry if your child's speech has suddenly begun to repeat words or get struck. This should stop fairly soon - if it doesn't stop after several months, your very concerned or the child is noticing their speech is difference please contact us on 76844187 for advice. In the useful links is the British Stammering Association website - have a look at this for some useful information.
• If your child's speech is still unclear at age 4 and you are worried please call us on (024) 76844187 for advice.
• Talk about things that happened earlier in the day or the day before with your child.
• Begin to extend your child's language by describing the things they are playing with, e.g. it's a shiny red car, it's a big soft ball.
• Go on walks with your child and point out more unusual things and tell them the names e.g. ladybird, branches, bees.

4 - 5 years

At this age children should be able to have conversation with you that last for longer, they are able to ask and answer questions and really enjoy talking to you.

• Make sure you answer your child's questions.
• Help them problem solve things that happen everyday e.g. 'I hurt myself' 'How did you hurt yourself'
• Read more complex stories to your children but remember when helping them to read to choose a book with simpler text

Visit libraries and get new books out, encourage your child to join in with the story. The Bookstart Treasure Box will give you lots of ideas and is available for all 4 year olds through their nursery or from the local library.

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