Development - Better Lives Healthy Futures
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Development

Age group:
0-4
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There’s lots of research that shows the amazing speed a baby’s brain is developing.
Dad bathing baby

A baby can hear from about 24 weeks of pregnancy, they can recognise familiar voices when they’re born and prefer faces to shapes.

How you react with your new baby makes a big difference to their later development. There’s lots of information about interacting with your baby on the links below.

Babies and children need to be given the chance to learn and develop and these pages give ideas and suggestions to help you give your baby the best start.

Part of your child’s health review will be to see how they are developing, whether you have any concerns and getting ready for the next stage as they grow up.

All children develop differently but where this isn’t as we’d expect we’ll discuss a plan of care with you. This might mean a follow up check or a referral to a doctor or specialist for more advice.

For your child’s two-year review (usually completed between the ages of 2 and 2½), your health visiting team will send you two questionnaires, known as the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ SE).

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Further information

Helping your child's speech
From when your baby is born you can help them to learn to talk by doing things such as holding your baby close as you talk to them. There's lots more tips and advice to help with your babys speech on this website.

Talking Point

Talking Point provides lots of information on children's communication from 0 right through to 17 years.

HENRY
HENRY supports families in a child's early years, including what you can do in your daily routines to help your child be a confident communicator.

Tiny Happy People
This BBC website will help you develop your child's communication skills using simple fun, free activities and play ideas. There are also tips and advice from experts and parents on language learning and child development.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a condition where the ‘ball and socket’ joint of the hip doesn’t properly form in babies and young children. Find out more information about it here and in your red book.

Bradford Local Offer
If you’re in Bradford the local offer can help you find the right support if your child has Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and is ages 0-25.

Better Start Bradford
Better Start Bradford work with families to give children the best possible start in life in Bowling and Bakerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton through a range of innovative projects to support them through pregnancy and the earliest years of their children’s lives.

Related topics

Play
Play is not just fun, it helps young children to learn.
Age group:
0-4

Safety
Don’t forget the importance of safety which means seeing everything at your child’s level, giving them age appropriate toys, supervising them, removing dangers and items that could cause harm.
Age group:
0-4

Behaviour
You might find your child’s behaviour difficult to deal with, there can be lots of different reasons for this.
Age group:
0-4

Toilet training
Whether you teach your child to use a potty or a toilet, it’s a new skill for them to learn. It takes patience and it’s important to work with your child.
Age group:
0-4

Ages and Stages Questionnaires
Your health visiting team will send you two questionnaires before your child's two year review appointment.
Age group:
0-4

2 – 2 ½ years contact
You’ll see a member of the team when your child is between two and two and a half years old.
Age group:
0-4

9 – 12 month contact
Nine to twelve months old is the next time you will be offered an appointment with your health visitor, or a member of the team.
Age group:
0-4
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