Supporting Speech and Language Development at Nursery and Home
Communication and language is a primary area of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Nurseries play a vital role in developing children's speech, language, and listening skills—yet parents are equally important in this process.
What happens at nursery. Quality nurseries prioritise language development through singing, storytelling, rhyme time, and one-to-one conversations. Staff engage children in "sustained shared thinking," asking open-ended questions that encourage children to explain, describe, and problem-solve. These interactions build vocabulary and confidence.
The importance of listening. Before children speak, they listen. Nurseries create language-rich environments where children hear varied vocabulary, different sentence structures, and engaging conversation. This input is essential for speech development.
Supporting language at home. Talk to your child constantly, even before they speak. Narrate your day: "Now we're putting on your shoes. Left foot first. Good!" Respond to your child's attempts at communication—when they point and babble, respond as though they've spoken a sentence. This teaches them that communication is valued.
Reading together. Daily reading is one of the most valuable things you can do for language development. Choose books with repetitive text, rhyme, and engaging pictures. Point to pictures, ask questions, and enjoy the time together. Nurseries will recommend age-appropriate books.
Singing and rhymes. Nurseries use songs and rhymes deliberately. They teach rhythm, vocabulary, and listening skills. Continue this at home with action songs, nursery rhymes, and silly songs. Children learn language through repetition and enjoyment.
Limiting screen time. While some educational content has value, passive screen time doesn't develop language as effectively as interactive conversation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time for young children. Prioritise talking, playing, and reading instead.
When to be concerned. All children develop at different rates, but if your child isn't babbling by 12 months, isn't using single words by 18 months, or isn't combining words by age two, mention this to your nursery or health visitor. Early support can prevent later difficulties.
Multilingual children. If your family speaks more than one language, continue using your home language. Bilingualism is an asset. Your child will learn English at nursery while maintaining their heritage language at home. This supports cognitive development and family connection.
Partnership with nursery. Ask your nursery what language goals they're working on for your child. Reinforce these at home. If your child has speech and language therapy, ensure nursery staff know about it and can support the same strategies.
Language development is a partnership between nursery and home, with consistent, loving interaction being the foundation for success.