Further Parent Information / How to Help at Home
Oral Health
At BRW, we actively promote good oral health for all children.
Tooth decay is largely preventable, yet it remains a serious issue—nearly 1 in 4 five‑year‑olds in England have tooth decay, and it is the leading cause of hospital surgery for children aged 6–10. In Foundation Stage, children are learning about oral health this term through the ‘People Who Help Us’ topic. A visit from a dentist gives children the opportunity to explore dental equipment and ask questions. Good oral health is reinforced throughout the year through regular discussions about daily routines and healthy diets.
NHS oral health guidance for children aged 3–6 years:
- Brush teeth twice daily for 2 minutes
- Always brush before bed
- Teeth should be brushed by an adult
- Use fluoride toothpaste (at least 1,000ppm)
- Use a pea-sized amount
- Spit, don’t rinse after brushing
Why Dummies Should Be Stopped by Age Three
Speech & Language: Constant dummy use hinders babbling, experimenting with sounds, and forming words, potentially leading to unclear speech or lisping later on. Dental Issues: Prolonged sucking can push front teeth forward (protrusion) or create a gap (open bite), often requiring orthodontic work. Middle Ear Infections: Sucking can open the Eustachian tube, allowing bacteria from the nose to enter the middle ear, increasing infection risk.
Tips for Weaning Off Dummies
Limit Daytime Use: Restrict dummies to sleep times only, removing them when the child is awake and interacting. Make it a Celebration: Use a special occasion like a birthday or holiday to ceremoniously give the dummy away to fairies or Santa, exchanging it for a gift. Use Books: Read stories like The Last Noo-Noo to help children understand and prepare for giving it up. Praise & Rewards: Offer lots of praise and use sticker charts to reward the child for not using their dummy.
You play a vital role in helping your child develop their communication and language skills. Here are some simple ways you can support them at home:
- Talk, talk, talk! Describe what you’re doing, seeing or hearing during everyday routines.
- Listen and give time – pause and allow your child time to respond, even if it takes a while.
- Get down to their level and make eye contact when talking to encourage interaction.
- Repeat and model language – if your child says a word or short phrase, repeat it back and add one more word.
- Read together daily – sharing stories, talking about pictures and asking simple questions builds vocabulary.
- Sing songs and rhymes – these help children learn new words and sounds in a fun way.
- Reduce screen time and encourage face‑to‑face conversations and play.
Every child develops at their own pace, and small, everyday conversations make a big difference!
