From a very young age, simple conversations (talking and listening to each other) help your child develop language skills and thinking skills.

It is important how often adults talk with children and how well they talk with them. In a language-rich environment (a place where there is lots of talking and new words), adults help children by:

• Talking about what the child is doing or interested in
• Repeating what the child says
• Adding new words to help the child learn more vocabulary

We read with the children regularly. We include them in:

• Stories
• Information books (non-fiction)
• Rhymes
• Poems

After this, children get many chances to use new words in different situations. This helps them grow their vocabulary (number of words they know).

Through:

• Conversations
• Storytelling
• Role play (pretend play)

And with gentle help and good questions from adults, children:

• Build confidence
• Feel comfortable speaking
• Learn to use many different words and sentences
• Express their ideas clearly

Here are some places you can learn about building language skills:

Resources to inspire you in your communication with your child:

Supporting children's early communication skills - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

How to be a super communicator with your child How to be a super communicator - BBC Tiny Happy People

The book Trust has lots of tips on how to use books to boost communication

 Supporting Parents, Carers and Families | BookTrust