Ready, Steady, Grow!

Play, chat, read and sing together

Reading with your child illustration

Did you know that you can support your child’s growth and development if you:

Play, chat, read and sing together

Why is this important to you and your child?

It helps with your child's physical development, communication and Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children learn by spending time with you. Playing with your child, talking, reading and singing every day will help to create a strong bond with your child.  These activities also help develop your child’s language and social skills.

Things you can do

  • Play together
  • Touch is the first point of communication between you and your child
  • Let them see and feel your face
  • Get down to their level
  • Read, speak, and sing to your child all the time, and encourage them to do the same
  • Read out loud signs and labels when shopping or cooking together, talk about what you can see, hear, or feel when out and about or doing chores at home, talk about emotions with your child eg. 'your smile made me happy'
  • Hugs and gentle movement (eg rocking in a chair and dancing) can cheer up both of you
  • Holding your child in your arms will help them feel warm, safe, and calm
  • Children can learn about rules and boundaries, social interaction with peers, and play at nursery or parent-toddler group
  • Make sure your child is active (not being still) for at least three hours spread throughout the day
  • Walk short distances to the shops or the nursery
  • Get off the bus with your child a stop before you need to, and walk the remaining distance
  • Play can be imaginative, interactive, independent, exploratory, or physical – children love to explore natural, everyday objects – expensive toys are unnecessary and can limit imagination and learning
  • Physical play can be floor-based or water-based. Ideas include swim, object play, messy play, dance, jump, climb, scoot, skip, and cycle

If you’d like support, talk to

Other support available in Coventry

Learn more

View a print version