Working in Partnership with parents

This is is key to the child’s success.

In partnership with parents, discuss the identification of language support needed both in the setting and at home. Provide information on support services, websites and groups available. These can all be found by sharing the Parent pathway. 

If you do need to talk to parents/carers regarding a speech and language concern/ challenge, The Speech and Language UK Parent section is a good place to start.

There is information and support about some of the common features of speech and language challenges.

Children and young people who have challenges with talking and understanding words may experience some or all of the following difficulties:

• Difficulties with speech sounds
• Difficulties with understanding others
• Difficulties with producing language
• Difficulties with using language appropriately

Ages and Stages

Ages and Stages is a guide to the typical stages of speech and language development in babies, children, and young people.

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. In this section, there is support for parents about how to help their child learn to talk and understand words.

Child Progress Checker

The Child progress checker will provide short questions parents can, together with yourselves, answer to see how the child is getting on with their talking and understanding of words.

It's based on what we know about how talking and understanding of words develops in babies and children.  It’s not the same as a standardised measure a specialist would carry out but it should give you an idea of how the baby or child is developing and whether there is a need for some extra support or advice to help you and them.

Supporting children who are new to English

There are lots of things you can do to support children who are new to learning English.  They aren’t a quick fix but are based on the principles of good practice.

Supporting children learning English as an additional language

If your children/families live in a Better Start Bradford area, there are additional programmes and family support offers available from pregnancy to a child's fourth birthday. You can check the family postcode on the website.

Speech, Language and Communication resources

BBC's Tiny Happy People have answers to common questions about Speech and Language delay.

Visit their Speech Delay FAQs webpage for more information.