These resources and websites are for you and your family to support your children’s communication and development. Click on the icons below to take you to each website.
The Bookbug website gives information on sharing books, songs and rhymes with babies and toddlers. It provides information on Bookbug Bags, which are free and provided to every child from infancy to primary 1. You can download the words to many popular songs for babies and toddlers and watch videos of mums and dads reading Bookbug Bags with their children.There are also lots of different nursery rhymes to watch and listen to here
The National Literacy Trust’s website has a number of useful downloadable resources. These support the development of early language and communication skills as the vital first step to literacy. There are tips for talking to your baby and young child, and also bilingual tips. To access these resources you need to set up an account.
Words for Life is a website specifically designed for parents. It provides information on expected milestones, tips and fun activities to do with your child to support their speech, language and communication. You can also find words and videos for many nursery rhymes and songs.
The Scottish Government’s Parent Club website gives lots of suggestions of games, stories, songs and craft ideas for both inside and outside the house. In addition, free Play, Talk, Read buses tour Scotland with fun activities for children, on-board play-leaders, and opportunities to meet other parents. The bus ‘timetable’ can be found on the website.
BBC Tiny Happy people provides tips and information about how you can develop your baby’s language and communication skills, so they get the best start in life. The ideas and activites are easy to build into your daily routine. The website shows why and how you can bond with your child, before they’re born and throughout the first 18 months of life – it’s never too early to start.
The I CAN website has a section for parents and carers which offers free information and advice on speech, language and communication development, as well as offering parents the opportunity to book a free call from an I CAN speech and language therapist if they wish to discuss any concerns. There are also books and DVDs on communication development available for parents to buy.
The Talking Point website offers information on children’s communication development, what to expect at particular ages and stages, and ideas for developing children’s communication. Free resources include ‘Tips for Talking’ sheets for children at different ages and ideas for games and activities to enhance communication skills at home.
The Communication Trust website offers resources for parents, that you can download or order, which give guidance on where children should be with their communication skills, as well as what to do if you’re worried about your child’s communication skills.
Signalong is a sign supported communication system, designed to help children and adults with communication difficulties. It is designed to support spoken language to help people with communication difficulties understand and express themselves. The Signalong website offers Signalong resources to buy, as well as some free resources to download every Friday.
The Hanen website offers information on programmes for parents and early years professionals. The programmes and the organisation help to promote the best possible language, social and literacy skills in young children. There are also tips for parents of children with speech, language and communication difficulties. Research articles on speech, language and communication development can also be accessed.
Parents and families in Scotland mostly do a fantastic job but everyone struggles at times. This website brings together the best free support and information.
A hands-on guide to help you through the challenges and rewards of the toddler years. Features include tantrums and a toddler health hotspot.
Books for Babies offers encouragement and support for parents in sharing books and stories with their babies. It includes a range of familiar and less well-known rhymes, which you can print off to share with your child. The website also lists upcoming events for parents and young children, including monthly Polish rhyme times.
Dads Rock support and help Dads to engage with their children and build strong lasting relationships. They provide playgroups, counselings sessions and a Rock Music Academy. Believing that children need a diverse mix of parenting, Dads Rock would like to see a Scotland where dads are seen as being equally valuable and vital.
The Action for Stammering Children website offers a section for parents which gives information and advice on stammering in children. It may be useful to try some of the tips and to look at the advice sheets if you are concerned about your child’s fluency. For more information on when to request further assistance, see here.
Play@Home is a programme of play activities for babies and young children which will help your child’s development and well-being. You receive three books free of charge:
The baby book for birth to one year
The toddler book for one to three years
The pre-school book for three to five years
The toddler book for one to three years
The pre-school book for three to five years
To get your copies, please email Play@Home or speak to your health visitor.
NHS Lothian Children’s Services website has information on children’s services in the local area including Speech and Language Therapy. If your child or young person is already known to the Speech and Language Therapy service, or you are requesting support from the NHS Lothian Speech and Language Therapy team, then you can find more information here: