0mo–11mo8 minFamily timeQuiet timeMealtime
Our Baby Talk Plan (In Our Language)
A short reflection-and-practice routine where you chooses how they like to communicate with your child (including the chosen language), writes 3–5 everyday phrases, and practises warm turn-taking with pauses to notice your child’s sounds and signals.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfortable, safe place to hold or sit with your child
- paper and a pen (or a notes page you can refer to later)
Nice to have
- a familiar comfort item (blanket/muslin)
- a soft toy (optional ‘talking partner’)
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· core
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· core
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar contextual cuesMind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneRaises arms to be picked upHeart· 6mo–9mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneBabbles conversationallyMind· 8mo–15mo· stretch
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Communicates needs and feelings in a variety of ways including crying, gurgling, babbling and squealing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Find out from parents how they like to communicate with their baby, noting especially the chosen language.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)