A child with speech, language and communication needs may:

• have a limited vocabulary or not speak at all
• have speech that is difficult to understand
• not understand instructions or certain words
• find it difficult to listen or talk to others

If you're concerned about your child's development, use the Progress Checker from Talking Point. Produced by speech and language therapists, the progress checker will ask you a series of questions about how your child communicates and at the end give you an indication of their progress. 

Tips for at home

Talking to your child is the best way for them to learn new words and understand what they mean.  You can do this when you're playing together, at bath time, meal times, bed time and even when you're out and about together.

Show your child what you say

You could talk about what your child is doing as they do it or what they're looking at or listening to.  Remember to use a mixture of naming, action and describing words.  You can also use objects, pictures and body language alongside words to help them understand what you're talking about.

Grow sentences

If your child is using pointing or is babbling to communicate, then start off by using single words.  For example if they point to a dog, you could just say the word "dog".  Once they start using single words, you can reply adding on another word such as "big dog" and then continue together to make the sentences longer and more interesting. 

Activities for Parents and children aged 0-5

These activities help promote the development of communication by:

• supporting children and their families/carers at groups and advice sessions
• identifying any speech language and communication needs (SLCN) early on at these groups in order to provide timely and appropriate ideas to meet the needs of individual children

Groups are delivered by staff with an Early Years qualification of NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent).

Play and learn sessions

• Baby Massage
• Peep - play and talk session
• Peep-a-boo

For more information about all the sessions running in the borough have a look at our Family Hubs Activities timetable