Early language forms the backbone for many skills. Children start learning language early in life, and this process is shaped by the environment around them.
What has our research shown about rates of language delay in Bradford?
Using a sample of over 700 children from the BiBBS cohort, we found that children living across the Better Start Bradford regions have double the rate of language delay at 2-years-old when compared to other children in England.
We also looked at what population-level factors predict this rate and found that although broad demographic factors do not explain very much about this rate, factors much closer to the child – such as their other abilities – are more useful.
What has our research shown about interventions for language delay in Bradford?
When evaluating a six-week, parent-child, home-based intervention (Talking Together, evaluation funded by the Nuffield Foundation) for over 100 2-year-olds with language delay, we found evidence of promise:
- Children understood more words after they took part.
- Parents reported feeling more warmth after they took part.
We used a randomised, waiting list control, pilot study design (the ‘OTTER’ study) to test this.
The next stage is to run a randomised controlled trial of Talking Together.
Theme summary written by Rachael Cheung
Click on an icon below to find out more about our research on early interventions for language and communication.
the Better Start Bradford Innovation Hub 
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