Child development

Over one million children in the UK have some kind of speech language and communication needs. This is known as SLCN for short.

Every child is different. Their needs depend on different factors including:

• which areas of speech, language and communication they struggle with
• how severely these areas are affected
• what skills and strengths they have
• how they need to use their skills
• their level of confidence and self-esteem

Children develop their talking and understanding of words at different rates. Speech and Language UK have a guide showing the typical stages of speech and language development in babies, children and young people. 

BBC Tiny Happy People and Hungry Little Minds  have activities and ways you can help develop your child's communication skills.

If you are worried about your child's speech and language, you can contact your Health and Children's Centre team.

You may find the following links useful:

• Speech and Language UK
• Afasic: Voice for life
• Action for Stammering Children
• The British Stammering Association
• Words For Life - National Literacy Trust
• Start4life: Learning to Talk (age 1-2)
• Start4life: Learning to Talk (age 2-3)

Speech and Language Therapy services

For children not attending a preschool or nursery, your referral route for Speech and Language therapy is through your Health & Children's Centre.

If your child is attending a preschool or nursery, talk to a member of the staff if you have concerns.

If you are a Preschool and Nursery you can follow your direct referral routes for Speech and Language therapy.

If you are worried about your child's speech, language or communication you can call:

• If you live in East or West Suffolk call the Health Business Centre on 0345 607 8866
• If you live in Lowestoft or Waveney call Just One Number on 0300 300 0123

Find out more about the Speech and Language Therapy team and what they offer:

• East and West Suffolk
• Lowestoft and Waveney

Glue Ear

Glue ear is one of the most common childhood conditions in children aged 2-6 and is where the middle part of the ear canal fills up with fluid. This can cause temporary hearing loss and usually clears up within 3 months. Other symptoms of glue ear may be earache, ringing sounds or problems with balance. If glue ear lasts a long time it can affect a child's speech development and progress at school.

If you notice that your child is experiencing any hearing difficulties you should see a GP who will be able to advise further and consider if further specialist treatment is required. This NHS Glue Ear webpage provides further information about glue ear and details of treatment that your GP may recommend.

Children develop more rapidly during the first 5 years of their lives than at any other time. A booklet has been written to help you as a parent know what to expect during these vitally important years by focusing on the seven areas of learning and development which are covered in this Early Years Foundation Stage Parent Guide .

Your child's development is a continuous process that is unique to your child. Each baby, child and young person does not progress at the same rate.

Your Health and Children's Centre team can support you to help your child achieve their potential. The team will offer you routine contacts to review your child's development. This ensures that early help can be put in place for you and your child should you need it.

If you are concerned about your baby, child or a young person's health and development, please contact your GP or Health and Children's Centre team at any time.

You may find the websites and information helpful:

• GOV.UK: Early years foundation stage - sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old.
• NHS Start4Life: Baby - the essential guide and lots of free tools for having a healthy, happy baby.
• NHS Start4Life: Early Learning and Development - offers tips and home activity ideas to help support a child's brain development. 
• Hungry Little Minds - simple, fun activities for kids, from newborn to 5.
• Play ideas
• BBC Tiny Happy People - activities to help develop your child's communication skills
• Help children aged 2-4 learn at home
• NSPCC Look, Say, Sing, Play
• 50 things to do before you're 5 (Suffolk Community Libraries)