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Resources to Support Speech, Language and Communication

It can feel overwhelming, but finding local support for speech and communication really can make a big difference—you’ll get helpful advice and practical tools from people who understand what you're going through. Plus, connecting with other parents in similar situations can be incredibly comforting—you’re definitely not alone in this.

Support in the Community

There are many local places where you can find friendly, accessible support for your child’s development. These include:

Children’s Centres
Family Hubs
Local libraries
Community and voluntary groups
Health clinics and early years services

These spaces often offer sessions, advice, and activities to help support your child’s communication skills while giving you the opportunity to connect with other parents and carers.

Programmes to Support You and Your Child

A child’s language development begins long before formal schooling, when the child first begins to distinguish sounds heard within the mother’s womb. This is why Leeds offers a range of groups and programmes from pregnancy and beyond to help you support your child’s learning and development at home, including:

Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond –
Understanding Your Baby
HENRY (Health, Exercise, Nutrition for the Really Young)
PEEP groups (Parents Early Education Partnership)
Bookstart – free books for young children
Early Start Pathways
Start for Life
Tiny Happy People – simple activities and advice from pregnancy to age 4
Top Ten Tips for Talking animations – short animations to support everyday communication at home

These resources are designed to fit around family life and make learning fun!

Early Education and Childcare

Did you know your child may be eligible for free early education and childcare?

15 hours for eligible 2-year-olds Free Early Education Entitlement
15 or 30 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds 3 and 4 year old Free Early Education Entitlement

High-quality early education gives children the chance to develop their communication and language through play, stories, singing, and socialising with other children.

What Practitioners Do to Help

In nurseries, pre-schools and childminders, early years practitioners:

Create a language-rich environment with plenty of talking, listening, singing, and storytelling
Use the Early Years Foundation Stage to observe and monitor children’s progress in communication and language
Use tools like the Provision Grid for Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) to make sure the right support is in place for each child

Practitioners and families work together to support communication development both at home and in childcare settings.

How Practitioners can help

Identify needs early – and what happens next
Support you if you are concerned about a child’s communication development
Provide extra support is needed
Refer on for specialist support

Online Support

Here, you'll find easy to understand information about what’s normal for your child’s age, helpful activities you can try at home to support their speech and language, and advice on what to do if you think they need extra help. You’re not alone—there are people and resources ready to help you.

Afasic (charity) Helpline: A charity that supports children, young people with speech, language, and communication needs and their families. Speak to a speech and language therapist on the phone for advice and support.

Telephone – 0300 666 9410

Opening hours – Monday & Wednesday: 10.30am to 4.00pm

Speech and Language UK (charity): An advice line for parents or carers and practitioners to discuss concerns they have about a child. A series of webinars designed to give parents the tools they need to support their child

Communicating & talking skills: West Yorkshire Healthier Together Watch videos about each stage of language development created by Locala Health and Wellbeing

Baby Buddy Smart Phone App: Advice and information every day throughout pregnancy and the first year of your baby’s life. Contains specific advice about building relationships, play and interacting with your baby.

Start for Life: Learning to talk: Short videos and activities to do with your child to support language development.

Tiny Happy People: BBC website to help develop children’s communication skills. Simple activities and play ideas, and information to find out about early development.

Words for Life: Website that provides milestones, tips, fun resources. Also, advice to help caregivers support their children’s language and literacy development.

Top Ten Tips for Talking Animations: Short animations that help you to know how make the most of the times they interact with their child.

Ages and Stages Guide: A guide to the stages of speech and language development in babies, children, and young people.

Leeds Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Toolkit: Guidance, information, and advice on ways of interacting with your child. Lots of games to play that help you know how to support your child.

Leeds Community Healthcare – 0-19 – Social Media: Interact with 0-19 Service by searching for their Instagram and Facebook Pages