Talking Time

Talking Time: free evidenced-based professional development to support nursery children’s oral language

Talking Time is a universal oral language programme for children aged 3-5 years, which includes evidence-based professional development for nursery staff. It supports Early Years practitioners to deliver engaging, structured small-group activities to children, and enhance their oral language through high-quality interactions and conversations. 

Talking Time is designed to be used flexibly and adapted to suit individual children and settings. Settings will receive training and mentoring to support implementation, and develop their early years team’s expertise in supporting early language. 

Talking Time was developed by leading academics at the University of Oxford and UCL Institute of Education, working closely with speech and language therapists and early education professionals. It has been shown to enhance children’s oral language and staff practice in other research studies.