smalltalk aims to increase parents’ confidence to do the things we know can have a positive impact on their child’s learning. It is about using everyday opportunities and the activities that many parents already do in the home to enhance their children’s learning and development. These include the way they talk, listen and play with their children, read together and how they engage them in interesting and stimulating activities. smalltalk also includes ideas on how parents can look after themselves and helps build links with their community and local services.