The first few years are the most important in your child's learning and development. As a parent or carer you have the biggest influence during this time and there are a number of ways in which you can help with their early development.
Learn with me - child development tips for parents
Get your child off to a great start with our fun activities:
Talk with me
- How parents can help with communication
- Talk with me leaflets
- Talking Time activity cards
- Why not try this at home - activity ideas for toddlers
Read with me
Write with me
Count with me
Move with me
Move with me - physical development leaflets
Personal, social and emotional development
Being, Belonging, Becoming leaflets
Places to visit
You can also find fun learning activities and things to do in your community by visiting your local Toddler groups.
Helping your child prepare for school
Our Get ready for school booklet gives practical advice and answers many of the questions you may have about preparing your child for primary or infant school. It contains information on:
- Finding and applying for a school place
- Things to think about in the weeks before school
- Childcare
- Life at school
- Time for you
You can find further information on when and how to apply for a school place on the school admissions web page.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In addition to the activities you do with your child the learning experiences they have when being cared for by their childcare provider can really help to shape them and their development.
Early years childcare providers follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, a play based framework for learning for every child from birth to five. Standards under the framework are clear and consistent, with expectations about safety, welfare and learning clearly set out.
The framework allows your child to learn through a range of early learning activities which will be planned to take account of your child's individual needs, interests and stages of development.
National Health Service (NHS) Choices
Further information and ideas to help your child's development from the NHS.
- NHS Choices: Baby and toddler play ideas
- NHS Choices: Teaching your child everyday skills
- NHS Choices: How do I play with my child to help their development? (9 to 12 months)
- NHS: How to potty train
In this section
- How parents can help with communication
- How parents can help with reading
- Bookstart
- Libraries for under 5s
- Toddler groups
- Parents' guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage
- What early learning activities will my child do with their childcare provider
- Health and development reviews at age 2 – information for parents
