Talking is one of the most important skills your baby will learn and they need your help to do it. By talking, reading and singing with your baby you are providing them with the stimulation they need to get the best start in life.
Why is it important?
Babies are naturally sociable and they love to interact with their parents and carers. Talking, playing and reading with your baby will help them to develop good language and communication skills. We know that 75% of baby’s brain development takes place in the first 2 years of life – so it is never too early to start stimulating your baby’s brain.
When you interact with your baby and focus your attention on them you are making your baby feel loved and valued. This helps to build your relationship with your baby and will give your baby confidence and security.
First point of contact
If you are concerned about your child’s communication or language skills then you can talk to your GP or health visitor. Alternatively, go along to one of Hackney’s CATCH clinics run by the speech and language therapy team. They will listen to your concerns and give you advice about how you can help your child.
Local services and information
- Hackney and City Health Visiting service
020 7683 4151 (9-5pm Monday to Friday)
huh-tr.hackneyandcityhv@nhs.net - Hackney Children and Family Hubs
familyhubs@hackney.gov.uk - Domestic violence support services
- Get help for your mental health (Talk Changes)
- Parenting and mental health support for children, young people and their families
Building your baby’s brain does not need expensive toys and books. Check out Hackney’s libraries for a great range of free books and activities for you and your baby.
Get Hackney Talking
Useful Hackney and City Health Visiting web pages
Register for the Imagination Library - free books for children aged 0 to four
The Imagination Library is a free programme offering books every month to children from birth to age four to foster a love of reading. It is run by Dolly Parton’s The Dollywood Foundation.
All you need to do is:
- Register your child to receive a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book by post every month, addressed to them, until their 5th birthday. You can also download and print the form
- Books are published by Penguin Random House UK and chosen by early childhood and reading experts
- Child details are kept secure under data protection rules
For any additional enquiries, please contact imaginationlibrary@hackney.gov.uk
National resources
- Why does my baby put everything in their mouth? (Tiny Happy People)
- Talk and play tips - Words for Life
Brain building ideas
- Sign up here for Baby Brain building tips
- Baby brain building ideas for Dads
- Building babies' brains through play
- How babies brains grow film
- Making the most of nappy time (Peeple)
- The importance of making eye contact film (Tiny Happy People)
Talking
- Activities for babies 0-6 months (Words for Life)
- 4 Tips for talking to your baby (video)
- When do babies start talking?
- Parenting resources for 0-5 (PEEP)
Stories
- The science behind the benefits of reading for babies (Book Trust)
- Free books for your child (Bookstart)
- Interactive story books
- Reading with your child 0 to 12 months (information in 25 languages on sharing books)
- Book finder online tool
- Books to read with baby
Song and rhyme ideas
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