6-12 months
Leading health experts around the world agree the first 1001 days of a child’s development influence a child’s future more than any other time in their life.
From 6 to 12 months, your baby will be developing quickly, babbling, gesturing and recognising some words. They want to communicate with you, making noises and sounds and eventually using single words.
- When something grabs your baby’s attention, they have lots of ways to show it. They might stare, point, or make a noise.
- Start to develop their communication skills by playing peekaboo games, using your hands to hide your face, saying things like "Where are you?" and "I see you"
- Use actions like waving when you say "hello" and sounds like "yummy" when feeding your baby.
- Singing rhymes and taking turns with your child will help them to develop early speech and language skills.
There's lots you can do to help your baby develop their language. It’s really easy - you might already be doing it without even noticing.
Advice, Information and Services
Sandwell Health Visiting Team 0121 612 5021
At 9-12 months your child will be seen by a Health Visitor for a development check.
Changes is Sandwell’s very own programme to help parents throughout their parenting journey. There are sessions on the Early Years, the Primary School Years and the Secondary School Years.
The course is also a chance to meet and share experiences with other parents and to make new friends.
Sandwell Council has partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to expertly designed online courses for parents, carers, grandparents and teens living in the region.
Family Hubs provide support to families with children and young adults 0-19 years (up to 25 years if they have special education needs or disabilities).
They offer family support, early learning , information and advice on health, parenting, money and benefits, education and school readiness.
There are lots of free services and activities at your local Family Hub including baby massage, sensory class and a baby support group.
Black Country Early Outcomes Speech and Language Development Cards
Easy to read advice and support about how your child is communicating with you and tips on how to help "I can and you can help me by"
A guide to social and emotional development for birth-5 years
Your baby's social and emotional development plays an important part in their overall development and mental wellbeing. Supporting this during the first 1001 days of a baby’s life is a crucial time for their brain development, they will then build on this throughout the first 5 years of their life.
Sandwell's Talking Tips
Sandwell’s Talking Tips
10 tips to help support your child's language development.
Get to know these tips and use them as part of what you do every day with your child.
Early Years Practitioners should also familiarise themselves with Sandwell Talking Tips and embed these tips in to their Early Years development planning.
Big Book of Ideas
BBC Tiny Happy People Videos
Help your baby develop their language video
A really simple way of helping your baby with their language learning is to talk to them about the things that capture their attention.
If there's a particular toy or object that they're looking at, name it and talk about it. This helps them to connect the words you say with the things they see.
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video by clicking on the icon below!
Playing at home with everyday objects video
Your baby is constantly learning from new experiences! You can help by introducing them to new textures, such as porridge oats. It's a great opportunity to boost their language development too.
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video by clicking on the icon below!
The science of cuddling: Why cuddling is so great for babies
It might seem obvious, but babies love to feel your touch. It makes them feel calm and secure and helps them to bond with you. But did you know that it benefits their health and development too?
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video by clicking on the icon below!
How can peekaboo help babies to learn?
It's no secret that peekaboo is a hit with babies around the world and a great way of entertaining them even at a very young age. But did you know that this simple game can play a really important part in their early language learning as they wait their turn to react?
Watch BBC Tiny Happy People video by clicking on the icon below!
Speech and Language
Speech and Language UK 6-12 months
This is a guide to how children develop speech and language between 6-12 months. Children develop language at different rates. However, understanding what is typical can help you identify speech and language problems early. You can also find out how to help your child learn to talk and develop their communication skill. There are lots of things you can do to encourage your child to talk and develop language skills.
WellComm: Ideas for encouraging language development in 1-year-olds
Libraries are welcoming places for children and families to start exploring books and reading. There are lots of activities and events at your local library and helpful, friendly staff to advise you on what to read to your child. Libraries are free to join and have books in different languages and formats. Your child is never too young to visit the library.
6-12 months Courses
Changes - the early years
free online and face to face courses in Sandwell for parents of children aged 0-4 years
free classes at your local Children's Centre
Help and Support
Help and advice
Sandwell Health Visiting Team 0121 612 5021
Your health visitor will be able to offer advice and support about your child's development. Always contact your health visitor about any worries or concerns you have about your child's health and development.
What can I expect from my health visitor
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
A free, impartial servcice with the aim to enable parents/carers, children and young people to make informed decisions about education, by ensuring they have the advice, information and support to make those decisions.
Sandwell Parents for Disabled Children
The service offers play and social opportunities for disabled children and their families. Parent, carers and siblings are welcome.
Check out these websites for more tips and information on talking to your baby