Childhood Literacy

As parents, we all want our children to develop strong communication skills. This starts early, with the simple sounds and babbles of a new-born baby. Here are some practical tips to help you encourage your baby or toddler’s speech and language development through play and everyday activities.

General tips for creating a language-rich environment

• Talk to your child frequently throughout the day: Even when they’re young, they’re absorbing information. Describe what you’re doing, name objects around the house, and respond to their babbling.
• Read aloud regularly: Books are a great way to introduce new words and concepts. Choose books with simple language, bright pictures, and repetitive phrases.
• Sing songs and nursery rhymes: These provide a fun way to practise pronunciation and rhythm.
• Label objects: Put labels on toys, furniture, and everyday items to help your child associate words with objects.

Engage with your child in their play activities

• Pretend play: Encourage imaginative play by pretending to be different characters or animals.
• Build and create: Use blocks, Legos, or playdough to build and create different structures.
• Outdoor activities: Explore the world around you. Talk about different plants, animals, and weather conditions.

Tips for effective communication

• Get down to their level: When talking to your child, get down on their level to make eye contact and show that you’re listening.
• Use simple language: Avoid using too many complex words or long sentences. In the early years (0–3 years) try and make things concrete, stay in the ‘here and now’ — point and gesture lots to help your child understand what you say
• Be patient: Give your child time to respond and don’t rush them.
• Model good language: Use clear and correct language yourself.
• Speak in your native, natural Language: If English is your second language try and speak to your child in your native language: it is more natural and your will probably know better how to speak and sing to young children in your own native language.

Reading to your child

Reading to your child is a powerful way to boost their language skills and create lasting memories.

Reading to your child is more than just a bedtime ritual; it’s a powerful tool for fostering their language and literacy skills. Studies have shown that children who are read to regularly develop larger vocabularies, stronger comprehension skills, and a greater love of learning.

Why is reading so important?

• Vocabulary expansion: When you read to your child, you expose them to new words and concepts. This helps them build a strong vocabulary, which is essential for effective communication and learning.
• Improved comprehension: Reading aloud helps children understand the meaning of words and sentences. This improves their comprehension skills, making it easier for them to learn and understand new information.
• Enhanced cognitive development: Reading stimulates a child’s brain and helps them develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and imagination.
• Stronger emotional bonds: Reading together creates a special bond between you and your child. It’s a time for cuddling, bonding, and sharing stories.
• The Reach Out and Read Foundation found that children who are read to regularly have significantly larger vocabularies and better language skills than those who are not.
• A study published in the journal Paediatrics revealed that reading to children can have a positive impact on their academic achievement, even years later.

By making reading a regular part of your child’s life, you are investing in their future success. So, grab a book, get cozy, and enjoy the wonderful world of stories together!

Here are some great books I love using in my Speech Therapy sessions:

Books for 6 months to 2 years

Touch and Feel Books

• Touchy-Feely Farm by DK Books: This book features different textures to explore, such as soft fur, rough bark, and squishy mud.
• Baby Touch: Animals by DK Books: This book introduces various animals and their textures, like soft feathers, scaly skin, and furry coats.

Lift-the-Flap Books

• Peek-a-Boo! Animals by DK Books: This book has flaps to lift revealing different animals hiding underneath.
• Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill: A classic lift-the-flap book that encourages spatial awareness and vocabulary.

Pop-Up Books

• Pop-Up Farm by DK Books: This book features fun pop-up elements that bring the farm to life.
• Pop-Up Jungle by DK Books: Explore a vibrant jungle with this interactive pop-up book.

Sound Books

• Sound Books: Farm by DK Books: This book features sounds that correspond to different farm animals.
• Sound Books: Safari by DK Books: Listen to the sounds of various safari animals in this interactive book.

Interactive Books

• That’s Not My… Series by Usborne: These interactive books feature tactile elements that encourage exploration and vocabulary.
• Peek-a-Boo! I Spy by DK Books: This board book with flaps encourages visual tracking and vocabulary.

These books are designed to engage young children through their senses and encourage exploration. The repetitive nature of these books helps toddlers learn new words and concepts while having fun.

Books for 2 years ++

Classic favourites

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: This colourful and interactive book is a classic for a reason. It introduces simple words, colours, and days of the week.
• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle: This repetitive story helps children learn colours and animals.
• Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill: A simple hide-and-seek book that encourages vocabulary and spatial awareness.

Modern classics for children 3 years – 6 years

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: A fun and imaginative story that introduces more complex vocabulary and rhyming.
• Room on a Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: Another rhyming story that encourages counting and vocabulary.
• The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr: A playful and imaginative story that introduces various foods and social skills.

Books for children 6 years ++

• The Adventures of the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: A philosophical tale that introduces complex vocabulary and themes.
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl: A whimsical and imaginative story that introduces a variety of characters and settings.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: A classic fantasy series that introduces a wide range of vocabulary and concepts.

Remember: The best books for your child are the ones they enjoy. Encourage them to explore different genres and find stories that spark their imagination.

Please feel free to contact me.

Sonja McGeachie

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Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.