Talk2Thrive Posters

**** This page is in development and will be more fully completed by September 2026 ***

Young children learn language through everyday interactions with the people around them.

The posters on this page were created to encourage those interactions by sparking curiosity and conversation between children and their caregivers. Rather than providing instructions or asking children to complete a specific task, they simply invite children and adults to explore, notice, wonder, and talk together.

These posters were originally designed for public spaces where families spend time waiting together, such as doctor’s offices, community centres, service centres, and transit stations. However, they can also be used at home or in any other setting where children and caregivers spend time together.

The content on these posters was intentionally designed to introduce rich vocabulary, encourage moments of connection, and create unique opportunities for meaningful conversation. Through conversations, stories, questions, and shared experiences, children learn new words, build communication skills, and develop knowledge about the world around them. These early language experiences support future learning, relationships, literacy, and overall development.

These posters and the accompanying parent "Tips for Talking" sheets were developed by Dr. Daniela O’Neill and students in her courses and the Children’s Communication Lab at the University of Waterloo based on decades on research from around the world related to children's communicative development. Our goal is to support children’s language and literacy development in the community by providing free resources that encourage enjoyable and meaningful interactions.

The QR code on the posters leads to this web page and the camera icon reminds parents that they can take a photo of the poster to explore on their own device while waiting.

All the Talk2Thrive Posters and related Parent Tip Sheets are openly available to anyone or any interested organization to use according to a CC BY-ND-NC. This license allows re-users to share, in their original form (they may not be modified) in any medium or format for non-commercial purposes and as long as attribution for the original is given to the creator (Daniela O’Neill and the Children's Communication Lab at the University of Waterloo).

We welcome feedback from families, educators, healthcare providers, and community organizations who use these resources. If you have questions, suggestions, reflections, or ideas for improvement, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Dr. Daniela O’Neill at doneill@uwaterloo.ca

*** Posters coming soon! ***

The posters below are available as free downloads for use in homes, waiting rooms, libraries, healthcare settings, and other community spaces.

Although they were originally designed for public waiting areas, they can be used anywhere children and caregivers can explore them together. Families may also wish to view them on a phone or tablet, print them at home, or use them during everyday routines.

Printing & Placement Recommendations

• For public spaces such as waiting rooms, hallways, exam rooms, or play areas, we recommend printing posters at 12” x 18” or larger so they are noticeable and children can easily see the details in them.
• Consider printing on durable paper or laminating the posters, especially in spaces where children may touch, point to, or physically interact with them.
• Place posters in locations where children and families are likely to see them, especially where they spend time waiting or gathering. Hang them low enough that children can easily see them and where parents can take a photo and access the QR code.

Additional posters may be added to this collection over time.

Available Poster Designs in different sizes for easy printing at different cost levels (e.g., Staples)

11 X 17 in (Ledger Size)

[PDFs to be added soon]

12 x 18 in

{PDFs to be added soon]

18 x 24 in

[PDFs to be added soon]

*** Tip Sheets coming soon! ***

The tip sheets below provide simple, practical ideas for supporting children’s communication and language development from infancy through the preschool years. 

The tips focus on everyday interactions, play, shared reading, and routines. Our goal is to help families understand how ordinary moments can support learning, communication, and connection. They are organized by age group and can be used alongside our posters or on their own.

These recommendations are informed by decades of international research focused on children's language acquisition and social and cognitive development as well as current policy guidelines from professional organizations (Canadian Pediatric Society; Speech-Language and Audiology Canada).

While the examples are provided in English, the same principles can support children’s communication and language development in any language.

Select an age group below to view the tip sheets.

            Tips for Parents of Infants (0-18 months)

            Tips for Parents of Toddlers (18 months-3 years)

            Tips for Parents of Preschoolers (3-4 years)

There are many excellent sources for research-informed information about children’s communication, language development, and early literacy. Here we highlight three sources that provide very good starting points for parents wishing to learn more. In addition, there are many speech-language pathologists and organizations on social media providing short videos and further research-informed discussion of these topics. 

The Hanen Centre (non-profit organization offering free access to a large repository of practical, research-based articles and tips for professionals and caregivers)

Caring for Kids (Canadian Pediatric Association)

Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development (University of Montreal)

Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University)

Too Small to Fail (Clinton Foundation, USA) dedicated to surrounding families with early language and learning opportunities (from which we drew inspiration)