Baby's Development and Early Learning
Did you know, your baby's brain starts to develop within the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy and by age 2, your baby's brain is 80% developed. As a parent, you are your child's first and more enduring carer in your life and so it's important you understand how you can support your baby's development at every stage of their life.
What to expect in the early years foundation stage
This guide outlines what adults must do to help children learn and develop and to be safe and healthy. It discusses how your child develops and how you can support your child's development to help them flourish.
More information can be found on the Foundation Years downloadable document.
Health visiting and school nursing team
Our health visiting and school nurse team are on hand to offer advice and support to families. They have a wealth of support available on their website, hold clinics around the districts where you can seek advice in person or you can call the team on the contact details listed on their website.
More information can be found on the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust website.
Library services
In Staffordshire we have libraries in each of our 8 districts. They are free to join, and they run lots of community groups including baby bounce and rhyme and storytelling sessions for pre-school children.
Find your nearest library on our website.
Tiny Happy People
Tiny Happy People from the BBC shares lots of information on activities to try at home to build on your baby's development, giving you tips and advice for you as a parent and help you to understand how your child learns and develops.
More information can be found on the BBC Tiny Happy People website.
Stoke Speaks Out
This website shares lots of advice and support on how to improve and develop your child's communication skills. Your child being able to communicate is the foundation of their learning for socialising and developing their full potential.
View the Stoke Speaks Out website for more information.
PACEY
A wealth of advice on ensuring your child has a rich home learning environment. This website shares ideas and hints to explore ways of learning at home.
More information can be found on the PACEY website.
Potty Training - ERIC
ERIC is a website full of advice and guidance on how to potty train your toddler. It gives you a 3-step evidence based approach to potty training along with answering common problems that many parents face, making what can be a stressful time more manageable.
More information can be found on the ERIC website.
Speech, Language and Communication Journey
A website with lots of information, advice and support to help your baby's speech, language and communication development. Detailing each stage of your baby's development and showing you how you can support your child from pregnancy to age 5 years.
More information can be found on the speech, language and communication journey webpage.
BookTrust - Getting Children Reading
BookTrust helps families to encourage their children to read and develop a love for books. They provide a wealth of tips and advice to help children's development in many areas through reading.
More information can be found on the BookTrust website.
Molly Wright - How every child can thrive by five
Presentation describing how parents and caregivers can support their child's healthy brain development.
View their video on YouTube.