If your young child is behind on talking, struggles to follow simple instructions, or has trouble expressing what they want or need, you may have come across the Talkies program in your research. This guide explains what it is, who it's for, and how it builds the foundational language skills young children need.
What Is the Talkies Program?
Talkies® is a Lindamood-Bell program designed for young children who need support building early language and literacy foundations. It uses engaging, sensory-based activities — often built around short video clips and stories — to strengthen a child's ability to process, understand, and express language.
At The Learnability, founder Laila Madhani's team delivers the Talkies® Program as part of our broader early language and literacy support, always beginning with an individual assessment of your child's specific needs.
Who Is the Talkies Program For?
- Toddlers and young children who are talking less than expected for their age
- Children who struggle to answer simple questions or follow basic instructions
- Children who have difficulty telling you what happened during their day, even in simple terms
- Children showing early signs of a language processing difficulty
- Children who benefit from a highly engaging, low-pressure way to build language skills
What Skills Does Talkies Build?
- Phonemic awareness — the ability to hear and identify individual sounds in spoken language
- Vocabulary and concept development — building the words and ideas a child needs to express themselves
- Following directions — strengthening the ability to process and act on spoken instructions
- Verbal expression — helping children put thoughts into clear, organized spoken language
Because Talkies uses engaging, story-based activities rather than repetitive drills, most young children find the sessions enjoyable rather than effortful — which matters enormously for sustaining attention and motivation at this age.
Why Early Language Support Matters
Language skills built in early childhood form the foundation for later reading and academic success. A child who struggles to process spoken language or express their own thoughts clearly is also more likely to struggle later with reading comprehension and written expression. Addressing these foundational skills early, rather than waiting to see how a child develops, generally leads to faster and easier progress.
How The Learnability Delivers the Talkies Program
Founder Laila Madhani built The Learnability's early intervention offerings, including Talkies, around the same principles that guide all of our programs: individualized assessment, evidence-based methods, and close progress tracking. Every program includes:
- Experienced, specialist instructors — trained specifically in early language and Lindamood-Bell methodology
- An initial assessment — to understand your child's specific language profile before starting
- Weekly online assessments — ongoing progress checks built into every program
- Regular feedback reports — clear updates for parents on developing skills and next steps
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is the Talkies program designed for?
Talkies is designed specifically for young children, typically preschool through early elementary age, who are building foundational language skills.
Does my child need a diagnosis to start the Talkies program?
No. If you have concerns about your child's language development, we can conduct an assessment and begin support without requiring a prior diagnosis.
How is Talkies different from speech therapy?
Speech therapy often focuses on articulation and specific speech sounds. Talkies focuses more broadly on language processing, vocabulary, and expression — the two can complement each other depending on a child's needs.
Can the Talkies program be delivered online?
Yes. The Learnability delivers Talkies fully online, one-on-one, using engaging, interactive activities suited to young children.
How do I know if my child needs Talkies or a different program?
Founder Laila Madhani's team can recommend the right starting point after an initial conversation and assessment of your child's specific language and literacy needs.
Give Your Child a Strong Language Foundation Early
Early language skills set the stage for everything that follows in reading and learning. If you've noticed your young child struggling to communicate, an assessment can clarify exactly what kind of support will help most.
Book your free trial session today, or learn more about our Talkies® Program.
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