Introduce
This section will build your awareness that some children’s speech, language and communication (SLC) development does not follow a typical pattern and they may have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). You will also begin to understand that there are inequalities between children’s environments and the interactions they have with adults in their early years which can have an impact on their SLC development.
Develop
Children develop at different rates, and their speech and language skills do not always follow a typical journey of development. Understanding this will help you to recognise if a child needs support in this area.
This activity will help you to recognise that some children’s speech, language and communication (SLC) development does not follow a typical pattern and they may have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

Read: Should I be worried my baby isn’t talking?
BBC Tiny Happy People
Using the link above, read the short article on the different ways young children communicate, and the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to their development.

Language is so important in our lives, it gives us access to friendships, play and learning experiences so as we grow we can be full members of our community. Learning more than one language is a common situation for a large number of children but some myths about it causing language difficulties still persist.
This activity will introduce you to information about how children can successfully learn multiple languages in their early years.

Watch: A speech therapist’s advice on how to raise a bilingual baby – BBC Tiny Happy People
BBC
Watch the video via the link above which presents information on early language development for bilingual and multilingual children.
Children living in the United Kingdom are born into a wide range of environments and experience different daily lives. Sometimes this is true for a small group of children living close to each other because of different family situations. Understanding and appreciating these differences in their language environments will allow you to consider the different types of support these children need as they continue to develop.
This activity will introduce you to the range of language skills young children have as they grow up in the UK. In Manchester alone between 150-200 different languages are spoken alongside English, for children born into these families they will learn 2 languages or more.

Watch: How can I develop language in a bilingual household? – BBC Tiny Happy People
BBC
Watch the video via the link above which presents information on early language development for bilingual and multilingual children.
Reflect

Stop and Reflect:
After watching the videos above and reading through the articles, reflect on the following:
- How can you begin to recognise that a child may have speech, language and communication needs?
- How would you support and encourage a parent worried about speaking in their home language with their child?
- Think about two ways that you could support a child who has had little exposure to communicating in English.
Further Reading
- Read the article using the link below from Nursery World which reports on a recent webinar about multilingualism.
- Webinar in partnership with Polylino: Exploring multilingualism | Nursery World
- India Dunkley. March 28, 2023. Nursery World
- Webinar in partnership with Polylino: Exploring multilingualism | Nursery World