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 Talking Walk-in sessions 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.
Watch the film on their website to see what a Talking Walk-in Session is like.
Local services and information
- Hackney and City Health Visiting service
020 7683 4151 (9-5pm Monday–Friday)
huh-tr.hackneyandcityhv@nhs.net - Peep learning together programme
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.
‘Five to Thrive’ is an approach to building your baby’s brain and supporting their emotional development through five activities: Respond, Cuddle, Relax, Play, Talk. Find out more about ‘Five to Thrive’ by contacting your local children's centre.
Get Hackney Talking
Useful Hackney and City Health Visiting web pages
National resources
- Why does my baby put everything in their mouth? (Tiny Happy People)
- Talk and play tips - Words for Life
- Hungry Little Minds Play and learning ideas
Brain building ideas
- Sign up here for Baby Brain building tips
- Baby brain building ideas for Dads
- Brain building tips
- How babies brains grow film
- How music can benefit your baby film clip
- 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 film
- When do babies start talking?
Stories
- Free books for your child (Bookstart)
- Interactive story books
- Reading with your child 0-12 months (English)
- Reading with your child 0-12 months (Turkish)
- Book finder online tool
- Books to read with baby
Song and rhyme ideas
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