Speech Buddies UK

Speech Buddies UK Independent Speech & Language Therapy Team covering the North East with over 20 years of experience

15/05/2026

When parents start to worry about their child’s communication, the first thing they often focus on is words.

“How many are they saying?”
“Should they be saying more by now?”

But as a Speech and Language Therapist, this isn’t the first thing I look at.
I look at communication as a whole.

Because speech is only one part of it.
Before words develop, there are lots of other signs that tell us how a child’s communication is building.

Things like:

- pointing or reaching
- looking between you and what they want
- using gestures
- making sounds or attempts
- responding to their name
- understanding simple language

These are the foundations.
And when these are in place, words often follow for typically developing children.

So if your child isn’t saying many words yet, try to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

Are they trying to connect with you?
Are they communicating in other ways?
Are they engaged with the world around them?

If the answer is yes, that’s a really positive sign.

If you’re not seeing many of these things, or something doesn’t feel quite right, it’s always okay to seek advice early.

But in many cases, there’s more communication happening than you might realise.
It just doesn’t always look like clear speech yet.
And that’s okay.

Want to check your child’s communication milestones?

Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you our free checklist straight to your inbox.

13/05/2026

The hardest part isn’t your child’s speech… it’s watching other children talk.

It’s noticing another child chatting away…
answering questions…
being understood easily…
…while your child isn’t quite there yet.

And suddenly, it’s not just about communication anymore.

It’s the comparison.
The doubt.

The quiet question of:
“Are they behind?”
This is something I hear from parents all the time.

But here’s what I want you to remember:
Children don’t all develop language at the same pace.

Some talk earlier.
Some take more time.
Some build understanding first, then words come later.
Some use other form of communication outside of words to get their message across.
And all of those can be part of typical development.

What matters most isn’t how your child compares to others… it’s how they are developing over time.

So instead of looking sideways, try looking at:

Are they understanding what you say?
Are they trying to communicate in their own way?
Are they engaged, connected, interacting with you?

Those are the foundations that language is built on.

If your child isn’t talking as much yet, it doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.
But if something doesn’t feel quite right, you’re always allowed to trust that instinct and ask for support.

You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Want to check your child’s communication milestones?

Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you our free checklist straight to your inbox.

11/05/2026

It sounds strange, but this is something I see all the time.
When a child isn’t talking much yet, it’s completely natural to try and help by asking more:

“What’s this?”
“Say ball”
“What colour is it?”

It comes from such a good place.
But for a child who is still building confidence with language, this can start to feel like pressure.

Instead of encouraging communication, it can lead to:

- silence
- relying on gestures
- or avoiding trying altogether

Not because they can’t talk…
but because it suddenly feels harder to.

So what helps instead?
Shifting from asking… to modelling.

Instead of:
“What’s this?”

Try:
“You’ve got a car! A fast car!”

Instead of:
“Say juice”

Try:
“More juice”

You’re showing them the words, not testing them.
And that’s how language builds.

Through hearing it.
Seeing it.
Experiencing it in real moments.
Not being put on the spot.

If your child isn’t talking much yet, it doesn’t mean you need to do more.

Sometimes, it’s about doing things a little differently.
Worried your child isn’t using many words yet?

Comment CHATTERBOX to get my free guide “From Limited Language to Cheerful Chatterbox”.

06/05/2026

It can feel so confusing.

Your child says a word once…
you get excited…
and then you never hear it again.

You might be thinking:
Why did they stop saying it?
Have they forgotten it?

In most cases, this is completely normal.
When children are learning to talk, words don’t always “stick” straight away.

They might:

- try a word once
- go back to using gestures
- need more time to practise
- not feel confident using it yet

Language development isn’t linear.
It’s messy, stop-start, and full of experimenting.

So what helps?
Just because a word disappears doesn’t mean it’s gone.
It’s often still building in the background.

If you’re ever unsure what’s typical, it’s always okay to ask.

Want a clearer idea of what to expect? Comment GUIDE and I’ll send you a simple milestone checklist.

parentingtips

04/05/2026

It can feel like they’re “stuck”.

You might hear:
“milk”
“car”
“mummy”
…but not much beyond that.

And it can leave you wondering: should they be saying more by now?

Here’s what’s important to know:

Single words are a really important stage in language development.

Before children start combining words, they need:

- a bank of words to choose from
- an understanding of what those words mean
- the ability to use them consistently

So for many children, this stage is exactly where they should be.

But there are a few things to look out for.

Are they:

Using a range of different words?
Trying to communicate regularly?
Understanding what you say?

If so, that’s a really positive sign.

So what helps them move to the next stage?

Model slightly longer phrases - I call this ‘add one more’
Child: “car”
You: “yes it’s a blue car!”

Repeat and expand naturally
Keep it part of everyday conversation
Give them time
Language builds step by step

If your child is using single words, it doesn’t mean they won’t go on to use sentences.

It just means they’re still building the foundation.

If you are still worried your child isn’t using many words yet? Comment CHATTERBOX and I’ll send you my free guide “From Limited Language to Cheerful Chatterbox”.

04/10/2025

We are really excited to introduce Makaton For… Early Years Settings

From snack time to story time, Makaton helps children be included, reduces frustration, and supports every child’s voice to be heard.

This workshop has been especially developed for nurseries, preschools, and childcare teams who want to:
- Build communication skills
- Create inclusive environments
- Give children the best start in life!

Find out more and make an enquiry today: http://bit.ly/3IRnmr5

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Darlington

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Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm

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+447792597121

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