First words advice sheet

In order to learn and use words, your baby needs everyone they see to help them. Share the following strategies with family and friends so that they are used in all activities and routines in your child’s day.

• Let your child lead the play. Let them choose the toy and how they play with it. Copy what your child is doing. This will encourage you to follow their lead and not be too directive.
• Use simple language and sounds to accompany your baby’s behaviour, e.g. “you like that one” when stretching out their arm as if pointing, “big splash” when in the bath, “ah” when having a cuddle, “mmm” when eating
• Look at books together, name the pictures and talk about them using simple one word/two word phrases
• Slow down when you talk. Leave pauses. This gives your child the chance to process what you said and respond to it.
• Take it in turns to talk. Wait for your child to take a turn before you speak again
• Listen to the sounds and words your child says. Repeat them back
• Give your child the words and phrases they need by making comments about what they /you are doing, rather than asking questions
• Keep your language simple (largely single words) and repetitive to give your child lots of experience of important words and phrases
• Copy what your child says and add a little bit more. If they make a sound, you could copy the noise and say one word. If they say one word you could say it back and add another one.
• Give your child opportunities to communicate during everyday activities and routines, e.g. when they want something you cold give them a choice of two – “water or milk? Play with car or train?”. Don’t anticipate their needs before they have had time to ask for help.
• It is important to remember that communication is not just words. Wherever you can use body language, facial expression, pointing, gestures, and objects. Make sure your respond to your child when they use these too.