Nurturing Bright Futures – Working Together to Give Southend's Children the Best Start in Life

I am a communicator

The importance of communication

“Speak to your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful and magical humans on earth, for what they believe they will become”

(Brooke Hampton)

From the very beginning, children communicate in many ways-through cries, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions and sounds. As they grow, most children will begin to use words to share their thoughts and feelings. Some may communicate using signs, pictures, or in other ways. However a child expresses themselves, communication is key to building relationships, expressing needs and making sense of the world. When we notice, listen and respond, children feel understood, valued and their confidence to communicate continues to grow.

Celebrating your unique child

Communication starts long before children use words. From eye contact and gestures to babbles and pointing, your child is already finding ways to connect with you. Some children speak earlier than others; some use signs, sounds, or pictures and all of these are valid forms of communication.

Try not to compare your child with others. Focus instead on the little moments of connection for example when they look at you, respond to your voice, or show you something they love.

Every child’s voice matters, in whichever way they express themselves.

Communication: Growing and learning together – a developmental guide

age, what your baby might be doing, how you can support them
Age range	What your baby might be doing	How you can support them
During pregnancy	Baby begins to hear sounds and your voice from around 18 weeks Responds to rhythms and tone of speech	Talk and sing to your baby whilst they are in your womb daily Respond calmly to stress, as it can affect your baby too
Birth to 3 months	Cries to communicate needs Begins to make cooing sounds Responds to your voice and facial expressions and increasingly will stop crying to listen when you speak Shows a reaction to other familiar sounds, e.g. ring of the doorbell or phone or a favourite noisy toy, becoming quiet, or changing facial expressions	Enjoy being face to face whilst feeding and having cuddling Repeat your baby’s cooing sounds to show that you are listening and engaging in a conversation Talk and sing to your baby often, especially whilst you carry out daily routines such as changing their nappy or giving them a bath, e.g. ‘this is the way we wash your hair’…
3 to 6 months	Smiles in response to voices Turns head towards a sound May be startled by loud noises, which makes them jump Smile and laugh when others do Makes sounds to themselves, e.g. cooing, gurgling and babbling	Describe what you’re doing as you do it, e.g. “now I am changing your nappy Follow your child’s gaze and talk about what they are looking at Sing nursery rhymes Imitate your baby’s sounds
6 to 12 months	Uses gestures, e.g. pointing, waving Babbles using tone and rhythm Begins to understand simple words Makes noises and points and looks at you to get your attention. Will babble strings of sounds, like ‘na-na’ and ‘go-go’ Will understand simple instructions linked with a gesture, e.g. get the ball	Talk clearly using simple words Use gestures when talking and singing songs Name objects as you or your baby reaches for them Let your child make choices by offering two toys or foods. Your child may show you what they want by looking, reaching, pointing, or by trying to say the word
12 to 18 months	Uses some recognisable words Enjoys naming things and listening to songs Understands simple instructions	Acknowledge your child’s attempts to communicate Take your child’s dummy out when they are talking. Dummies get in the way and can stop them being understood and talking clearly When your child tries to say a word, repeat it back to them correctly to show you’re listening and so they hear the word correctly Try to build learning into your everyday routines, e.g. use action words like ‘wash’ and ‘splash’ when washing up or taking a bath and repeat them in different contexts
18 to 24 months	Understands more than they can say Begins to combine two words Ask questions through gestures or sounds	Expand your child’s language by repeating what they said and adding one (or two) additional words to it to make a two (or three-word phrase) Before going shopping, talk about what you’re going to buy, show your child the items and name them as you put them in the trolley, sometimes your little one might like to help you and show you where the apples or the beans are
2 to 3 years	Uses short phrases or sentences Understands simple questions and instructions	Talk about what you’re doing together. Later encourage your child to talk about what you did The next time you ask your child a question try waiting up to ten seconds for your child to respond. It can seem like a long time, but you are giving them time to process what has been said and think of their response, without being interrupted Give simple instructions: “first, put on your socks, then, your shoes”
3 to 4 years	Can re-tell simple stories and events Understands longer instructions and will ask lots of questions using words like ‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘why	Encourage your child to retell a favourite story or event from the beginning Answer their questions patiently Help your child to be confident to say when they don’t understand something by making sure you use phrases like, “I’m not sure what you mean” or “could you say that again?” Praise them when they use these phrases too
4 to 5 years	Speaks in full sentences and joins in conversations Understands jokes, rhymes and more complex instructions	Play listening games like, ‘I went shopping and I bought a…’ - take turns remembering the items each person has named and add a new item, forming a long ‘shopping’ list to remember Share silly rhyming books and joke books and try to see who can keep a straight face the longest without laughing