Child speech, language and communication resources
Book a face-to-face visit with a professional or discover lots of places with information to help with your child’s speech and language development.
Family Hubs
Your local Family Hub has groups to support your child’s developing speech and language. These include:
- baby massage classes
- messy play
- stay and play
- baby sign
- music and movement.
Find out more on our page for your local Family Hub.
Health visiting
Ask your local health visiting team any questions about your child’s speech and language development.
Contact health visiting teams by telephone, text or email on the Kent Community Health website for quick answers or a face-to-face chat.
Health clinics
Child health clinics are run by your local health visiting team. You can get advice, information and support for you and your child's health and development. Most clinics allow you to just drop in, but some will need you to book an appointment.
Visit the Kent Community Health website to arrange face-to-face support.
Early years settings
You might have concerns about your child while they are at an early years setting, such as a nursery, pre-school, or childminder. Speak to the staff about your child’s development. The staff will support your child’s communication and interaction needs using the best practice guidance for early years. They may also have staff trained to deliver specific programmes or interventions for speech, language and communication, such as Early Talk Boost.
Speech and language therapy services
Speech and language therapy services offer a range of support. Find the service for your area below.
- Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe: children's speech and language therapy
- Canterbury, Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells: The Pod children's therapies
- Swale: children's therapy
Information and resources
Find more help and support resources:
- Kent Community Health website page for early language and communication advice.
- Download the Born to Move app for development through play and interaction for early years.
- The Kent Baby website has support for you and your child on the journey from pregnancy to starting school.
- Inourplace website for Solihull Approach online courses for parents and carers.
- Develop your child’s language skills with simple activities and play ideas using BBC Tiny Happy People.
- Help your child learn to talk with the NHS Start for Life website, including things you can do alongside everyday activities such as bath time and going to the shops.
- Get helpful tips, activities and fun ways to encourage speaking, listening reading and writing at home on the Words for Life website
Special educational needs
You may need extra support if you are caring for a child or young person with a disability, or who requires additional help with learning. Sometimes a child may have special educational needs (SEN). Learn more about types of special educational needs if you think your child may need extra help.
Get support on our SEND Information Hub for children or young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or SEND, including:
- Support for parents with SEND children.
- Specialist Teaching and Learning Services (STLS) for children and young people with sensory and physical disabilities, or complex needs.
- Find professionals who can give support on SEND speech, language and communication needs
- Support for children under 5 with SEND, including the Kent Portage Team who can work with families to plan play activities.