Supporting your child’s speech and language doesn’t have to be complicated—it can happen naturally during everyday moments.

Here are some simple, effective tips you can start using today:

Tip 1 – Get Down to Your Child’s Level

Sit or kneel so you’re face-to-face with your child. This shows them you’re listening and interested in what they have to say. Being at eye level also helps them see your mouth movements and facial expressions—important clues for learning speech and language.

Tip 2 – Follow Their Lead in Play

Join in with what your child is doing and talk about it. Use short, simple phrases they might use, such as:

• “Car go!”
• “Fast car!”
• “Baby drinking milk!”

This keeps play fun and encourages natural language development.

Tip 3 – Give Your Child Plenty of Time to Respond

Children often need extra time to process what you’ve said and think about their response. Pause and wait—don’t rush to fill the silence. This helps them build confidence and practice their communication skills.

Tip 4 – Narrate Everyday Activities

Talk through what you’re doing and what’s happening around you so your child hears lots of language during the day. For example:

• At bath time: “Wash hair, wash tummy, dry feet.”
• Doing laundry: “Trousers in washing machine,” “Dress is wet. Put it in the tumble dryer.”
• Spotting an aeroplane: “Look! There’s an aeroplane. It’s flying in the sky.”

This constant exposure helps build vocabulary naturally.

Tip 5 – Read Books Together Often

Choose age-appropriate books and make reading interactive. Look at the pictures together and talk and make comments about what you see. Ask simple questions like:

• “Who is that?”
• “Where is the dog?”
• “What is the boy doing?”

Reading together builds vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of language.

Want More Ideas? Check out BBC Tiny Happy People for more tips, videos, and activities to support your child’s language development.

Click here.