Top tips
Top tips - mobile friendly versions
These top tips for talking to young children are designed to be used with the discussion ideas for different places such as the park,the woods and the shops.
Top tips
Get your child's attention- make sure they are listening.
Say their name first, get down to their level to check they are looking and listening.
Give children time to respond.
Make eye contact to show that you are listening, nod and smile.
Count to 10 before adding another statement or answering for them.
Build on what children say.
Listen attentively to what your child is saying. Expand or add to what your child is saying.
Follow children’s interests.
Notice what your child is curious about and talk about these interests.
Get down to the child's level.
Give your child your undivided attention and show them you are listening.
Show interest in what your child has to say.
Make eye contact and remember not to interrupt when your child is speaking.
Praise your child for attempting to say new words.
Notice and comment on interesting words your child uses.
Use facial expressions to convey meaning.
Communication isn't always verbal, use facial expressions and body language too.
Spend time talking to your child.
Plan moments into the day to talk to your child for example travelling times.
Use comments and prompts to keep conversations going.
Use statements such as 'I wonder…' and 'That's interesting…' rather than asking more questions.
Explore new words together.
Have fun with new words, don't be afraid to introduce longer, complex words.
Enjoy conversations with your child.
Show your child that you value conversations and time to talk with them. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy these moments together.
Talk cards and bingo
Click on each of the location tabs below to see what you can talk about at the different locations you visit together, to prompt conversation and new words.
What to talk about at the shops
Do you know what we are buying at the shops?
Here is a shopping list.
How many items do we need to buy?
What can we hear in the shop?
Is there music playing, people talking, scanners beeping, babies crying?
Can you find me the bananas, bread, milk...?
Bingo at the shops
bananas
card reader
till
receipt
bread
trolley
What to talk about at the park
Look around at your surroundings and point to things you can see. Is there a squirrel in the trees or flowers in bloom?
Stop and get down to your child's level. Listen to the sounds you can hear. Is there a bird chirping, the rustle of wind through the trees?
Encourage your child to try new ways of moving and talk about the actions they make such as jumping, stomping, sliding, rolling and twirling.
Bingo at the park
flowers
leaves
swings
ducks
bird
bee
What to talk about at the train station
Take your child to the train station, even if you aren't going on a train journey.
You can look at the train timetables, people watch, count the trains and check they are on time.
Talk about all these things with your child.
Perhaps you might plan a journey on the train.
Choo choo…
Bingo at the train station
train
platform
train tracks
luggage
bench
ticket barrier
What to talk about
Whether you are on the way to toddler group, school, nursery or somewhere else...take time to talk.
Talk to your child about where you are going and what they might do there.
What do you pass on the way? Point out anything different...bin lorry, delivery van or skip on a driveway...
Bingo on the way to...
bird
bench
lawn mower
zebra crossing
dog
stop sign
What to talk about at the castle
Feel the walls of the castle and use words to describe them such as sturdy, strong, rough, worn.
Talk about who might have lived in the castle and what they would have done.
How many steps are there to the top of the castle?
What can you see from the top?
Bingo at the castle
garden
path
castle
view
door
tower
What to talk about at the library
There is always something happening at your local library including story and bounce and rhyme sessions.
Look together at the books and talk about which ones you might choose to read.
Can you make up your own story together?
Bingo at the library
shelves
library card
librarian
books
toys
computer
What to talk about in the garden/back yard
Show an interest in what your child is doing and make comments for example "swinging high on the swing…"
Are there any plants growing nearby? Talk to your child about how they grow, what they look like or plan to plant your own.
"Where will we plant, how tall it will it grow?"
What sounds can you hear? Gates closing, doors slamming, pets, aeroplanes...
Bingo in the garden
slide
worm
bird feeder
aeroplane
butterfly
swing
What to talk about in the woods
What can you see? Comment to your child about what you see and listen to their responses.
I wonder what that smell could be? - wild garlic, flowers, wet soil, wet grass.
What can you touch? Can you touch the tree trunk? The bark feels – rough/smooth, warm/cold.
Bingo in the woods
dog
trees
walk
squirrel
ladybird
butterfly
What to talk about at the bus stop
Spot the different signs at the bus stop and on the road. Talk about what they mean.
What numbers can you see on the front of the bus?
Make up your own silly verses to The Wheels on the Bus.
Bingo at the bus stop
traffic light
bus
bus stop
wheels
bus shelter
What to talk about by the canal
Talk about staying safe and away from the edge of the canal.
What can you see by the canal? Get down at your child's level and point to anything of interest.
Are there any canal barges, people fishing, cyclists, ducks...?
Can you find the number of a bridge or lock?
Bingo by the canal
canal
path
duck or ducklings
flowers
bridge
bike
What to talk about by the river
Encourage good listening to hear the sounds of the river.
Use words such as babbling, ripple, murmur to describe the sounds.
Talk about what you can see by the river.
Are there any birds or can you spot a fish?
Bingo
boulders
river
duck
bridge
reflection
fishing rod
What to talk about on the beach
Talk to your child about what they can see, hear, smell, touch and maybe taste!
Broaden vocabulary by looking for shells, rock pools, seaweed or maybe a crab.
Encourage language development by playing I spy on the beach.
There are lots of things to spy beginning with 's' sunshine, sand, seaweed.
Bingo on the beach
crab
dog
seagulls
shells
footprint
pebbles
What to talk about on the street
Listen to the sounds of the street.
Comment what you hear.
Are there any buses, vans, motorbikes?
How many red cars can you spot?
If there are any shops on the street, look in the window, what do they sell?
Bingo on the street
zebra crossing
shop
siren
bike
dog
yellow lines