📚 Resources
Helpful Organizations
Speech and Language UK
Information for parents about communication development, free resources and activities, guidance on when to seek help.
Visit Website →I CAN
Expert advice on children's communication, Talking Point Progress Checker tool, resources for supporting language at home.
Visit Website →National Literacy Trust
Resources for supporting literacy at home, research on early language and reading, family activity ideas.
Visit Website →Zero to Three
Evidence-based information on early development, tips for parents and caregivers, milestone information.
Visit Website →📥 Downloadable Guides for Families
Free PDF guides to support your child's communication development at home
Development Matters Report
Official UK Government guide to early years milestones with clear communication development tables
📥 Download PDFTalk Together Parent Guide
Parent-friendly booklet about learning to talk, broken down by age (Babies, Toddlers, Young Children)
📥 Download PDFUniversally Speaking (Ages 5-11)
Comprehensive guide to communication development from The Communication Trust
📥 Download PDFSupporting Early Literacy
Guide for parents on reading together and mark making - how to read with your child (not just to them)
📥 Download PDFListen to My Idea!
Early communication guide explaining how listening develops before speaking (Birth to 5 Matters)
📥 Download PDF💡 Tip: These guides are perfect for sharing with families during parent meetings or sending home in communication folders!
References (APA7)
Bercow, J. (2008). The Bercow Report: A review of services for children and young people (0-19) with speech, language and communication needs. Department for Children, Schools and Families. https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/8405/7/7771-dcsf-bercow_Redacted.pdf
Bruner, J. (1983). Child's talk: Learning to use language. Oxford University Press.
Department for Education. (2021). Development Matters: Non-statutory curriculum guidance for the early years foundation stage. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters--2
Duursma, E., Augustyn, M., & Zuckerman, B. (2008). Reading aloud to children: The evidence. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 93(7), 554-557. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2006.106336
Hart, B., & Risley, T. R. (1995). Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of young American children. Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
Hoff, E. (2013). Interpreting the early language trajectories of children from low-SES and language minority homes: Implications for closing achievement gaps. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027238
National Literacy Trust. (2019). Early Words Matter. https://literacytrust.org.uk/early-years/
Roulstone, S., Law, J., Rush, R., Clegg, J., & Peters, T. (2011). Investigating the role of language in children's early educational outcomes. Department for Education Research Report DFE-RR134.
Snow, C. E., & Beals, D. E. (2006). Mealtime talk that supports literacy development. New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development, 2006(111), 51-66. https://doi.org/10.1002/cd.155
Weisleder, A., & Fernald, A. (2013). Talking to children matters: Early language experience strengthens processing and builds vocabulary. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2143-2152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613488145