Unlocking Language

Unlocking Language An award winning, independent Speech and Language Therapy Service in London.

21/12/2025

🎄Festive Bucket Fun 🎄

What’s in the bucket today?

Bubbles, a dancing Christmas tree, and lots of opportunities for language, attention and turn taking.

Bucket time is such a fun and engaging way to build listening, anticipation and shared joy and adding a festive twist makes it even more exciting for little ones this Christmas.

Simple activities. Big smiles. Meaningful moments.

Merry Christmas

19/12/2025

Making snow means making language

This simple sensory activity is packed with language learning opportunities. Using a widget board for visual support, we made “snow” while targeting key speech and language skills in a fun, meaningful way.

Language development in action
Following instructions: “First we put in shaving foam. Now add baking soda. Now stir with a spoon.”
Understanding sequence words: first, now, next
Expanding sentences: “I want shaving foam.” “I want a spoon to stir.”
Vocabulary building: shaving foam, baking soda, spoon, bowl, snow, stir
Concepts: fast and slow, in and out, hide and find
Wh questions: “Can you find the snowman?”

Why sensory play works
Hands on activities help children stay engaged, regulate their sensory needs and support attention. When children are motivated and having fun, language comes more naturally.

Visual supports like the one created using reduce processing load, support understanding and encourage independence when following instructions.

Fun, functional and full of language opportunities learning through play at its best.

28/11/2025

Play-Doh is such a fun, natural way to build language. We offer choices like What colour would you like? and model phrases such as I want… or more… so children can join in confidently.

Use a simple core board to facilitate the session: The visuals help children see their choices, understand the steps and communicate by pointing if they are not ready for words yet.

We practise action words and little sequences: Roll it. Press it. Make a circle. My turn, your turn. The visuals support this too, helping children follow along and build early sentences.

If they need help, we model it: Do you want help? Let’s do it together. The core board visuals give them another way to ask.

Play-Doh may look simple, but it’s full of communication opportunities. Offer choices, model short phrases and use easy visuals. These tiny moments really do build big language skills.

25/11/2025

Blank Levels!

In this video, we are using a simple morning-routine activity to show how Blank Levels can build children’s understanding and language step by step. Blank Levels guide us from the easiest “look and point” questions to deeper “why” and “how” thinking, always in a natural, playful way.

We begin with the basics: Where is he? Who is getting dressed? Who is eating breakfast? These help children identify what they see and practise short, clear answers. If a child needs support, we model the answer so they can hear it before trying again.

Next, we shift to noticing more detail: Can you see anyone else eating? What else is happening? This encourages children to look closely, describe what they notice, and expand their sentences.

Finally, we explore those bigger thinking questions: Why is he eating breakfast? Why is Dad brushing his teeth? These prompt children to reason, explain, and use more complex language in a meaningful context.

You can try this at home with photos, storybooks, or your own morning routine.

23/11/2025

Looking for a simple, at-home activity that keeps your little one engaged and boosts their language skills? Try a flour tray play session!

All you need is a tray, a sheet of paper, a sprinkle of flour, a shaker and a few cookie cutters.

It’s quick to set up, wonderfully sensory, and perfect for supporting early communication.

As your child explores the flour, you can model words like shake, tap, press, soft, messy and more.

Describe what they can see and feel.

Pause and wait for them to look, point, gesture or make a sound then respond as if they’re starting a little conversation with you.

These messy moments are full of opportunities for new vocabulary, turn-taking and joint attention.

Use the cookie cutters to make shapes and narrate what’s happening: Press it down. Lift it up. Look, a star!

Simple actions like these give you so many chances to model short, meaningful phrases. Follow your child’s lead, copy their ideas and celebrate whatever they create.

20/11/2025

Every child has a voice and every voice deserves to be heard.

At Unlocking Language, we believe that communication is not a privilege, but a right. Every child should have the opportunity to express who they are, what they need, and how they feel, whether through words, signs, gestures, or symbols.

When a child communicates, they are sharing their world with us. Their voice matters, their words matter, and we are here to listen.

This World Children’s Day, let’s celebrate every voice and continue to create spaces where all children can be heard and understood.

19/11/2025

For International Men’s Day, SLT Jack wanted to shine a light on something often overlooked, the quiet communication struggles many boys and men experience every day.

Working across schools and colleges, he has seen first-hand how many young men find it difficult to express emotions, speak up, or ask for help. Not because they don’t care, but because they don’t always feel confident using their voice.

And here’s an important fact: in the UK, only about 4% of registered speech and language therapists (SLTs) are men.  In earlier research, it was found that men made up just 1-2% of SLTs. 

Jack believes communication is the foundation of confidence, connection and wellbeing. When boys and men feel understood, everything improves: relationships, mental health, and their sense of self.

As a Speech and Language Therapist, his focus is helping them feel heard, supported and empowered.

This International Men’s Day, he reminds every man and boy that speaking up is a strength and support is always available.

18/11/2025

Here is a quick guide to what we often see in early language development.

Around six to nine months, babies start babbling and may turn when they hear their name.
By ten to twelve months, many little ones say their first real words like mama, dada, ball or bye bye.

From twelve to eighteen months, children usually build a small set of words. Some may be cute early versions like wawa for water.

Between eighteen and twenty four months, vocabulary grows quickly. Many children reach fifty or more words and begin using two word phrases like more juice or mummy help.

By two years, short sentences are common, such as I want cookie or more bubbles please.

Every child develops at their own pace, but these milestones give a helpful guide. If you ever have concerns about your child’s speech or language, early support can make a big difference.

14/11/2025

It’s Baby Week!

From those first moments of eye contact to the joy of hearing early babbles, every stage of a baby’s communication journey is something to celebrate.

In the first year, babies move from connecting through looks and smiles to experimenting with sounds, gestures, and even their first words. These small steps are powerful signs of growing connection and understanding.

Every child develops in their own way and at their own pace, but recognising these early milestones helps us nurture communication from the very beginning.

Baby Week UK aims to bring together different sectors and services (healthcare, early years, community organisations) to promote the best start in life for babies, expectant parents/carers, and families.

It emphasises the importance of early childhood (especially the first 1,001 days) and raising awareness of what support is available.

Supporting early interaction sets the foundation for confident communication and lifelong learning. Baby Week UK

13/11/2025

Kindness gives every voice a chance to be heard.

For some children, communicating their thoughts and feelings can be a challenge. As speech and language therapists, we know that gentle encouragement and understanding can make all the difference. When we take the time to listen, wait, and celebrate each small success, we show children that their voices matter.

Kindness in communication is about creating space for confidence to grow. It is about patience, empathy, and connection, giving every child the chance to express themselves in their own time and in their own way.

This World Kindness Day, let us remember that every word, gesture, and moment of understanding can help a child’s voice shine. With kindness and the right support, every voice can grow stronger and be heard.

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12/11/2025

As a speech and language therapist, I always remind parents that the best language learning happens during play, especially when you use your child’s favourite toys. When children are having fun, they’re naturally more curious and engaged, which makes it the perfect time to introduce new words.

In this activity, I used Peppa and Teddy to teach prepositions — those little words that help children understand where things are, like between, next to and on top of. These might seem simple, but they’re a big part of how children follow directions and describe what they see.

You can try this at home with any of your child’s favourite toys. Grab a few small items and model short phrases like “Put the apple between the toys” or “The car is next to Teddy.” Repeat the words naturally as you play together. Children learn best through hearing and doing.

The goal isn’t to turn play into a lesson. It’s to make language part of everyday fun. The more your child hears these words in real contexts, the more likely they are to understand and use them on their own.

So next time you’re playing together, grab Peppa, Teddy or whoever your child loves most, and turn those little moments into language learning opportunities!

Address

Unlocking Language, Unit 3, 12 Pepper Street
London
E149RP

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 10pm
Tuesday 8am - 10pm
Wednesday 8am - 10pm
Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 8am - 10pm
Sunday 8am - 10pm

Telephone

+442075369299

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