Words Together Set: Supporting Early Language Development in Young Children

This set, comprised of a guidebook and four colourful picture books, has been designed for parents and practitioners supporting children to understand and use two-word sentences, which are an important leap in language development.

Written in a friendly and reassuring tone, the guidebook untangles questions and concerns that many parents and practitioners share around language development, such as whether children are reaching important milestones, whether they benefit from screen-time and dummies, and what to do if there might be a problem.

Bright and colourful illustrations in the storybooks provide rich opportunities for conversation and engagement, using a serve and return structure and based around pivot words. Each book is based around one pivot word to which other words are added. This provides the opportunity for the child to hear the same sentence structure all the way through the book. The books build on repetition and have engaging illustrations that draw children into the world of the toddler in the book. The books are based around everyday routines and activities – the type that any child may be involved with regularly.

The set includes:

• Helping Children Find Their Voices: A guide for parents and practitioners, exploring questions and concerns that many parents and practitioners share around language development, such as whether children are reaching important milestones, whether they benefit from screen-time and dummies, and what to do if there might be a problem.
• Down the Slide: A colourful picture book using the pivot word ‘down’
• Hello!: A colourful picture book using the pivot word ‘hello’
• Gone to the Park: A colourful picture book using the pivot word ‘gone’
• Sleep Time: A colourful picture book using the pivot word ‘sleeping’

This is an exciting resource for early years practitioners, parents, and those working with children at an early stage of speech and language development.

When sharing the books with the child, use the tone of your voice to talk in an excited way about the pictures. Focus particularly on the two-word sentences that are written in the book for you to read aloud with the child. Encourage the child to join in with the words when they are ready.