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What should my child be doing now?

Children develop their talking and understanding of words at different rates.

However, knowing what is typical can help you identify speech and language problems early.  You can also find out how to help your child learn to talk and understand words.

As many as 1 in 10 children may have speech, communication and language needs, but as parents and carers there is so much you are already doing or can do to support your child.

Have a look at our Speech and Language pathway for parents and carers to guide you on what your child should be doing, provide you with top tips and ideas to try at home and where to go to get help if you need it.

Who can I talk to if I am worried?

You can speak to your health visitor - please visit our Support from your health visitor page which explains more about what they do and when they carry out development reviews. Remember it’s important to know that if you’re worried about something in-between visits, you can always contact your health visitor to get extra support, you do not need to wait.

As part of out Family Hub Start for Life Programme we have funded BHT to provide support under 'Owlets'. Owlets is a small parent and child group focusing on learning language through play with practical ideas that can be used in the home.

Owlets runs over a period of six weeks in Family Hub and Community Venues and is aimed at children aged 18months – 4 years and their parents.

What to expect:

  • Weekly themes around commination and language development.
  • Practical ideas to take away and implement at home.
  • A range of activities and resources set up each week designed to promote your child’s language development.
  • Our team of Language Development Workers on hand each week to offer support and advice.

If you are concerned about your child’s language development and feel that you may benefit from attending an Owlets group please contact your Health Visitor who can refer you.

To find our more visit the BHT Early Education Facebook Page or contact us on 01274 730415.

You can also attend one of our Wise Owl Language Development Advice drop in sessions. These sessions are starting from October and details can be found on our Family Hub timetables and on our Whats On calendar.

 

Speech and Language pathway

All this information and much more can be found on our Speech and Language pathway for parents and carers. 

NHS videos that can help you support your baby/child’s speech and language

 

 

 

Support for you

Incredible years pre-school logo

This free programme is for any family who would like support around child attachment, speech and language development, routines, boundaries and positive social interactions and:

  • have a child aged 3 or 4 years
  • live in the Bradford district
  • are not currently taking part in another parenting programme such as Family Links Nurturing Programme.

Programme aims

The program looks at strengthening positive parent-child interactions and attachment. Promotes positive children’s social, emotional, and language development through praise and encouragement.

What the sessions cover

  • Child directed play - Promote positive relationships
  • Promoting child language development - With child directed coaching
  • Social and emotional understanding - Encourage expression of feelings
  • Praise and encouragement - To help increase confidence
  • Motivate children through spontaneous incentives - by identifying positive behaviour
  • Establish clear routines - Rules, responsibilities and routines
  • Handling misbehaviour and problem solving - Teaching children to problem solve through stories and games

Programme length

16 week programme with each session being 2 hours.

Our groups

The session will be delivered in person at venues across the Bradford district.  You can attend with or without your child as a creche can be provided. 

We include refreshments and some lovely resources that you can use at home with your child. 

Where required, transport can be provided.

For more information and to apply visit our Parenting Programmes for Families page

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