--- title: "Let’s Talk Dummies – Helping Your Pre-Schooler Get Ready to Talk and Learn" url: "https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2025-06-27-let-s-talk-dummies-helping-your-pre-schooler-get-ready-to-talk-and-learn" school: "Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy" --- # Let’s Talk Dummies – Helping Your Pre-Schooler Get Ready to Talk and Learn ![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/news/IMG_1096.jpeg) 27 June 2025 Dummies can be really helpful when children are little, especially for comfort and sleep. But as they grow and get ready for nursery or school, dummies and bottles can start to get in the way of their talking. Using a dummy too much can make it harder for children to: • Babble and practise new sounds • Move their tongue properly for clear speech • Develop teeth and mouths in a way that supports speaking All of these things are really important as children build their confidence with talking, listening and joining in – key parts of being ready for school. How can you help? • Try to keep dummy use just for sleep times • Take the dummy out when your child is playing, exploring or talking • Start to reduce dummy use gradually – and aim to stop altogether before they turn 2 If you’re not sure where to start or would like some ideas, just ask a member of staff – we’re always happy to help. Together, we can support every child to find their voice and feel confident for their next steps. ???????? ![](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/images/news/IMG_1096.jpeg) ![](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/images/news/IMG_1097.jpeg) [Nursery](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/nursery) [Reception](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/reception) [Early Years Foundation Stage](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/early-years-foundation-stage) [Pre School](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/pre-school) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/Collage_2025-06-26_08_59_03.jpg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2025-06-26-pre-school-physical-development-making-marks) Previous ### [Pre-School- Physical Development- Making Marks](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2025-06-26-pre-school-physical-development-making-marks) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/Collage_2025-07-03_10_06_15.jpg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2025-06-30-nursery-science-exploring-textures-in-the-sand) Next ### [Nursery - Science - Exploring Textures In The Sand](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2025-06-30-nursery-science-exploring-textures-in-the-sand) ### Academy Life - [News](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news) - [Events](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/events) - [Clubs](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/basc) - [School Council](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/school-council) - [Attendance](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/attendance) - [Charities and Fundrasing](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/charities-and-fundraising) - ![School Games Gold](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Gold_Logo_25-26(1).png) - ![Healthy school](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/healthy_school.png) - ![Picture News](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/6_Years_of_Picture_News.png) - ![AP smilestar](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Screenshot_2026-07-27_10.26.27.png) ##### Location St James Crescent Darwen Lancashire BB3 0EY ##### Contact Us 01254 703260 ##### Stay Connected - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Darwenstjames) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/darwenstjames/) © Copyright 2021–2026 Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)