Unlocking Language

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

20/03/2026

Ready… steady… GO!

It looks like a simple game… but it’s doing so much for your child’s development.

“Ready, steady, go” games (like our balloon car 🎈🚗) are powerful because they build:

• anticipation and attention
• understanding of routines
• listening and following cues
• early expressive language (that excited “GO!” moment!)
• turn-taking and shared interaction

The magic is in the pause.

When you say “ready… steady…” and wait, you’re giving your child a chance to:
•look at you
• listen carefully
•predict what’s coming next

Over time, that pause encourages them to join in, first with eye contact or movement, and eventually with the word “go!”

This is how communication develops: through repetition, connection, and shared moments.

You don’t need special equipment to try this at home. You can use it in everyday play:
• bubbles
• toy cars
• swings or slides
• running races
• even letting go of a balloon

Just remember: say it slowly… and PAUSE before “go.”

18/03/2026

Today is Swallowing Awareness Day, led by .

Many people are surprised to learn that speech and language therapists don’t just support communication, we also specialise in feeding and swallowing.

Feeding difficulties are more common than people think.
Up to 50% of children may experience feeding challenges at some stage, and this is even higher for children with additional needs.

At our feeding clinic, we support babies, children, teenagers and young adults with eating, drinking and swallowing.

Our initial feeding assessment looks at the whole picture:
• How your child uses their lips, tongue and jaw (oral-motor skills)
• How they chew and swallow safely
• Their posture and positioning during mealtimes
• How they respond to different textures, tastes and sensory experiences
• Mealtime behaviours and your child’s relationship with food

We work with children who may:
• Struggle with chewing or swallowing
• Have very limited diets or selective eating (including ARFID)
• Have autism, developmental delay or medical needs
• Have had early feeding difficulties or prematurity

Following assessment, we provide personalised therapy and practical strategies to help your child feel more safe, confident and comfortable with eating.

Feeding is not just about food, it’s about health, development and everyday family life.

If you have concerns about your child’s eating or drinking, contact your local speech therapist.

Learning colours through play 🎨In this activity, we are not just naming colours, we are building language too. “Yellow e...
17/03/2026

Learning colours through play 🎨

In this activity, we are not just naming colours, we are building language too.
“Yellow egg”… “yellow lion”… “blue elephant”. Children are learning to pair adjectives with nouns, which is a key step in early language development.

Sorting coloured animals into matching eggs helps children:
• recognise and name colours
• build attention and focus
• develop early language skills
• understand simple categorisation

It’s simple, effective, and engaging.

Try it at home using toys you already have, learning through play always wins.

17/03/2026

Learning colours through play 🎨

In this activity, we are not just naming colours, we are building language too.
“Yellow egg”… “yellow lion”… “blue elephant”. Children are learning to pair adjectives with nouns, which is a key step in early language development.

Sorting coloured animals into matching eggs helps children:
• recognise and name colours
• build attention and focus
• develop early language skills
• understand simple categorisation

It’s simple, effective, and engaging.

Try it at home using toys you already have, learning through play always wins.

16/03/2026

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week!

It’s such an important moment to pause and recognise something really powerful, that every child’s brain works differently, and that difference is something to celebrate.

Neurodiversity reminds us that children think, learn, communicate and experience the world in their own unique ways. For many children we work with in speech and language therapy, this might include autism, ADHD, developmental language differences, or other ways their brains process information.

Our role is not to change who children are. It’s to support them to communicate in ways that work for them, build their confidence, and help the people around them understand them better.

Neurodiversity Week is about: understanding, acceptance, and creating environments where every child’s communication can thrive.

10/03/2026

TalkTools Tuesday with Zoe ✨

Today Zoe shares some simple but powerful tips for supporting speech work at home or in therapy sessions.

✔️ Stable body, stable speech, make sure the child’s feet are on the floor and their body is well supported helps create the right alignment for oral motor and speech activities.
✔️ Make it fun, turn exercises into games keeps children engaged and motivated.
✔️ Short but frequent practice, small bursts of activity throughout the day are often more effective than long sessions, helping skills become part of everyday communication.

What is TalkTools?
is an approach that uses specialised techniques and tools to support oral motor skills needed for speech, feeding, and drinking. It focuses on building the strength, coordination, and awareness of the muscles used for talking.

Stay tuned for more practical tips in our TalkTools Tuesday series!

05/03/2026

Sixteen sessions in and the progress speaks for itself.

This parent shared how their child is now beginning to use sentences and understand instructions more clearly. They described seeing a real difference compared to when they first started and feeling confident in the support their child is receiving.

Progress does not happen overnight. It takes consistency, the right strategies and a therapist who adapts and works hard to find what truly connects with your child. That is what we focus on every day.

If you would love to see this kind of growth in your child too, reach out to us and let’s talk about how we can support you.

05/03/2026

World Book Day 📚

Over the years Samuel and Mikael have been Paddington Bear, Toothless, the Highway Rat, the Gingerbread Man, the Twits, the Hickory Dickory Dock clock, Incy Wincy Spider Billy Goat Gruff, Captain Hook and Dennis the Menace.

And that’s the magic of books.

A story doesn’t just sit on a page. It invites children into another world. It lets them imagine, explore, become brave dragons, mischievous rats, wandering bears and running gingerbread men.

Every costume starts with a story. A book that captured their imagination so much that they didn’t just want to read it, they wanted to live inside it for a day!

That’s the magic of books.

They let children travel into different worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and for a little while, become part of the story themselves.

And somehow, those stories stay with them long after the costume comes off and watching that happen is one of the most magical parts of childhood.

04/03/2026

A little preview of our feeding clinic

Here our therapist is working on teaching a child how to bite safely and effectively. Biting is a foundational skill for chewing, and without it, mealtimes can feel stressful for both children and parents.

In our feeding clinic, we support every stage of the feeding journey. From introducing first textures, to developing chewing skills, to supporting children who struggle with picky eating, oral motor coordination or safe swallowing. We meet your child where they are and build step by step.

Feeding is not just about food. It is about safety, confidence and making mealtimes enjoyable again.

If you need support with your child’s feeding, sign up or send us a message today. You do not have to navigate it alone

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

Website

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