Language Development Guide For Babies & Toddlers

This page will help you understand:

  • Why it’s important to talk with your baby/toddler
  • Some things your baby can probably already do!
  • Activity ideas to do with your baby/toddler as they approach 12 months and beyond

 

Why is it important to interact & talk with your baby?

Babies want to interact with other people and they do this before they start saying words! 

Babies will learn language from people they spend a lot of time with.

Babies’ brains are ready to learn. Lots of a child’s language development happens in the first 2 years.

 

Babies in their first year

Since your baby was very little, you will probably have noticed they are really interested in you and want to interact!

They have probably:

  • Made lots of noises like cooing and blowing raspberries.
  • Said repeated sounds like bababa, dadada, mama! This is known as babbling.
  • Followed you around the room with their eyes.
  • Looked at you when you spoke to them.
  • Giggled/laughed when you have done something fun like tickle them.

 

Activity Ideas

Click on the links for fun activities to keep trying with your baby/toddler as they grow.

Back and forth games: Using a teddy for turn taking games - BBC Tiny Happy People

Baby Babble: Responding to one-on-one 'baby talk' - BBC Tiny Happy People

Joint attention: Joint attention goals in speech and language and activities for babies - BBC Tiny Happy People

 

Get interactive!

How many interaction top tips can you do?

  • Chat to your baby about what they’re interested in, then watch and wait for their ‘answer’.
  • Turn off the TV and put down your phone to chat with your child.
  • Talk about what you are doing! That might be looking at books, toys or washing up!
  • Use simple talk – just one or two words together.
  • Copy back the sounds your baby makes.
  • Give babies’ sounds a meaning.
  • If your toddler says a word – say it back and add another.
  • Make screen time a shared experience.
  • If you speak more than one language, speak the one you are most comfortable speaking in. Or if you are confident in them all - use them all!

 

Get dummy smart!

Long term (over 12 months) & overuse may impact speech. Please click the link below for more detailed information.

Dummies and weaning: How and when to stop dummy use - BBC Tiny Happy People

 

What next?

There are many useful websites with more information and activity ideas to help you support your child’s speech & language development.

The Balanced System tool will help you gather lots of advice together from various sources, including local and national websites.

The Balanced System® speech, language and communication pathway

 

For information on all areas of child development, milestones, tips and advice go to BBC Tiny Happy People:

BBC Tiny Happy People

 

If you would like to check the progress of your child’s speech & language development, the Progress Checker from the link below may be useful. This will also signpost you to other resources if your child needs support.

Child's Progress checker - Speech & Language UK (speechandlanguage.org.uk)

 

Need more support?

If you have any specific questions or concerns relating to your child’s development, including speech & language milestones,  please contact your Health Visitor.

 

You can also read some more information in our leaflet below:

Communication strategies for younger children.

Guides and top tips!