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The first few years of a child's life are key to the development of speech, language and cognitive skills.
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The first few years of a child's life are key to the development of speech, language and cognitive skills.

For this reason it is important to create an environment that helps to develop speech and language skills that give them all the stimulation, positive role modelling and human contact that they need. Through play, simple daily interactions and experiences, you can help your child learn new language and skills.

Adults do not need special training to be able to provide a child with a positive start in life. There are a few simple building blocks that you can put in place to help your child grow, and as a parent, you just need to provide the time to interact with your children. By playing and allowing your child time and space to explore and interact in their own way, you allow your child to develop and learn in a fun and safe environment.

Featured Games & Resources

Dummies

Information on how dummies can affect speech and language development...
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Art in the outside environment

Out and About Art Nature has the very best materials...
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Teddy is going to school

Help your child with the transition to school using play...
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Keep your cool when starting school

Settling in to school life. Going to primary school can...
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Getting ready for school

Preparing for new things. Helping your child feel ready for...
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Catch me reading

Catch me reading Reading with your child is great for...
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Language Focused Play

What is Language Focused Play? Language Focussed Play is a...
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The world of loose parts play

Loose Part Play The idea of ‘Loose Parts’ has influenced...
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Water Play

Endless fun with water Many children like playing with water...
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Makaton

What is Makaton? Makaton is a language programme made up...
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Rhyme Time Sacks

Rhyme Time sacks A rhyme time sack is a bag...
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Interactive books

Sharing interactive story books Babies and young children love being...
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Visual timetables

Why are visual timetables important? As adults we understand the...
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Developing spoken language

Top tips to develop the spoken language Children need to...
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Listening and Attention games

5 games to support your child's listening and attention skills...
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Attention and Listening

One of the best way to help your child develop...
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Playdough Recipe – Developing Finger Muscles

Playdough Recipe Playdough can be made very easily using “ingredients”...
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Fluffy and Cloud Dough Recipe – Developing Finger Muscles

The wonders of homemade playdough. The real wonder of playdough...
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Bilingual Families - The Importance of Home Language

Why is home language important? The language you speak with...
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50 Things to do before you're 5

Ready, steady, go! Playing Together … is one of the...
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Social play: Language and Play

Stages of play Play is about having fun, whether it...
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Play and Language: Role play

Role play Why is role play important? Role play can...
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Imaginative play: Play and Language

Imaginative Play Why is imaginative play important? Imaginative play, or...
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Play and Language: Exploratory play

Exploratory Play Exploratory play is the first stage in play...
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The relationship between play and language

Play and Language: Different types of play Why is it...
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Follow the child’s lead: Play and language.

Why is it important? Following the child’s lead means letting...
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What is play?

What is play? Play underpins children’s learning and development. Through...
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Tell me about...Phonics

What are 'Phonics'? In the simplest terms, phonics are the sounds...
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Tell Me About ...Tummy time

What is tummy time? Tummy time is when your baby...
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Tell Me About...Heuristic Play

 What is Heuristic play? It is a way our youngest...
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11 Ways Young Children Learn

 How do children learn? Children learn in many different ways...
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Tell Me About...Treasure Baskets

Treasure Baskets What is a treasure basket? They are a...
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Raising Bilingual Children - 5 Top Tips for Families

The importance of home language The language that you speak...
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The Twoness of Two

Early maths Numbers are all around us, counting things, time,...
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Skills For School

Lots of parents ask us 'how can I help my...
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Read With Me Under a Tree

A celebration of rhymes, books and the great outdoors We’ve...
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5 Ways to Motivate Boys to Write

Writing with boys There has been lots of research showing...
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Finding childcare for your child

10 things to look for when finding childcare Choosing childcare...
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Peg, Thread, Write!

Developing children's finger muscles. Almost every interaction you have with...
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Tiny Tinkering

You can still tinker when you’re under 12 months old...
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Talk to your toddler - 2-3 years

Talk to your toddler: Top Tips At each stage of...
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Talk to your baby - 0-6 Months

Chatter Matters A baby learns to talk every time you...
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Talk to your baby - 6-12 months

Chatter Matters When talking to your baby try to get...
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Talk to your baby - 1-2 years

Chatter Matters You child's vocabulary will be developing fast and...
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Yummy Harvest Soup

Have  fun in the kitchen this harvest making some Yummy...
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It's Always Time to Rhyme!

Nursery Rhymes Singing and listening to nursery rhymes are both...
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Michael Rosen - Tips for Reading Bedtime Stories

Michael Rosen, English children's author, shares his top tips for...
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5 activities to support attachment

A 'secure attachment' is vital for a child’s development, but...
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Celebrate the Scribble!

Mark making It may look like scribble to us, but...
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8 Great Reasons To Build A Den

Making a den is always lots of fun, whether it...
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Ready to...make friends and join in

5 Top tips for helping your child get ‘Ready to...
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Ideas for messy play

Messy play Children learn through exploring the world around them....
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5 top tips for rainy days

Top tips for rainy days. Children learn best when they...
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How children learn through play

How does your child learn? Have you noticed that your...
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Talking together tips

5 Top tips for talking to your child: Parents and...
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Bath-time tips

Here are some top tips for bath-time Daily routines can...
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Ready for school tips

Developing independence skills for school Going to school is a...
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Sharing books with your child

Here are some of our top tips on sharing a...
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are you looking for advice about your child's learning and development? We answer your frequently asked questions here.

Get in touch

For further support or advice, please feel free to contact us on the email address below.
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A Mackman Group collaboration - market research by Mackman Research | website design by Mackman

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