Norland and Words Matter launch new guide

Norland has collaborated with the charity Words Matter to launch a new expert-led guide designed to help parents, carers and early years professionals understand how communication in the earliest years shapes children’s development.

Norland’s partnership with Words Matter – a charity dedicated to ending verbal abuse of children and promoting nurturing, respectful communication – reflects a shared commitment to improving children’s mental and physical health by supporting adults to communicate with children in ways that are kind, respectful and developmentally appropriate.

The new expert-led guide, Communicating with children in the early years: Building brains, bonds and confidence, focuses on the critical period from birth to five, when children’s brains are developing at an extraordinary pace and laying the foundations for emotional wellbeing, language, learning and relationships. The guide explores how the words adults use – alongside tone, body language and responses – can have a lasting impact on children’s self‑image, confidence and mental health.

Developed in collaboration with child and adolescent mental health expert Dr Fiona Pienaar alongside Research Manager/Fellow Dr Lisa Gentle, Senior Lecturer in Early Years Dr Alex Morfaki and Research Assistant Rimsha Taqdees, at Norland, the guide translates the latest research into practical, easy‑to‑use advice for everyday life. It highlights how small moments – from conversations on the playmat to calming a child at bedtime – can help children feel safe, valued and understood, supporting confidence and resilience long into the future.

The guide explains how rapid brain development in the early years makes children particularly sensitive to the language and behaviours around them. Drawing on key concepts such as ‘serve and return’ interaction, emotional regulation and executive functioning, it helps adults understand why young children may struggle with emotions and how supportive communication can help them thrive.

Words Matter resource information and cover sheet

Child and adolescent mental health expert, Dr Fiona Pienaar, said: “The early years are such an important period in a child’s development. The way adults communicate with young children quite literally shapes the architecture of the developing brain. Warm, responsive interactions help build the neural pathways that support emotional regulation, learning and resilience. This guide empowers parents, carers and professionals with simple, evidence-based strategies that can make a profound difference to a child’s lifelong mental health and wellbeing.”

Dr Janet Rose, Principal at Norland, said: “At Norland, we have long understood the importance of nurturing communication in the earliest years. What might seem like small, everyday moments – listening, responding and talking with encouragement, and playing – are in fact powerful opportunities to support children’s development. This guide brings together research and practice to give families and professionals the confidence to connect with children in ways that are calm, respectful and developmentally appropriate.”

Jessica Bondy, founder of Words Matter, said: “The words we use with children become the voice they carry inside themselves. This guide is about helping adults feel confident in those everyday interactions – especially in moments that can feel challenging. Being kind and consistent is so important. When children feel seen, heard and understood, they’re better able to learn and thrive.”

A male Norland Nanny student in their blue uniform worn on placement led on the floor playing with a smiling child

Grounded in science but designed for practical use, the guide brings together evidence‑based insights with clear advice, including ways to build strong communication from birth, support language development at every stage, respond to children’s emotions with empathy and clarity, and create a positive, language‑rich environment. It also recognises the importance of supporting parents and carers themselves, so they can feel present, grounded and emotionally available for the children in their care.

Communicating with children in the early years: Building brains, bonds and confidence is available now and is supported by a free online course, Words matter: How to communicate with children so they thrive, which offers further guidance for parents, carers and professionals.

The guide forms part of Norland’s ongoing work as a partner and ally of Words Matter, supporting respectful, nurturing communication with children and promoting positive outcomes in the early years.

Download the new guide