Oh Biscuits! 7 Bluey-Inspired Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Early Speech and Language Development
Christine Hinkle, M.A. CCC-SLP
If you’re a parent or caregiver of young children, chances are you’ve heard a thing or two about Bluey. The Australian animated TV series burst onto American television screens in 2019 and has since become the most-streamed show in the U.S. for 2024, with over 55.6 billion minutes watched [1]. Known for its humor, emotional complexity, and efficient yet effective storylines, Bluey has proved to be a favorite among children and adults alike. But did you know that Bluey also demonstrates many foundational skills that parents and caregivers can use to support their child’s early speech and language development?
Here are seven SLP-approved tips from Bluey for supporting your child’s early speech and language development.
Follow your child’s lead
In Season 1, Episode 1, “The Magic Xylophone,” Bluey and her younger sister, Bingo, use a “magic” xylophone to “freeze” their father, Bandit, in time and space, leading to all sorts of shenanigans and silly outfits. Bandit expertly demonstrates, from the show’s very first episode, how to simply follow your child’s lead and see where it takes you. Both Heeler parents lean into their children’s imaginations rather than dictate what play should look like. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) agrees with the Heelers, encouraging child-directed play as an engagement-based strategy for early speech and language intervention [2].
2. Join your child at their level
The Heeler parents, Chilli and Bandit, are frequently seen sitting, kneeling, and lying down (trek around the Blue Mountains, anyone?) to meet Bluey and Bingo at their level. While doing this, they communicate so much information! According to The Hanen Centre, face-to-face interactions help children notice when someone wants to engage with them, understand others' emotions, and imitate sounds and facial expressions [3].
3. Be your child’s favorite toy
Did you know that young children actually spend more time looking at toys than at their parents' faces [4]? Don’t worry, though—you’ve got the best toy of all at your disposal... YOU! Bandit demonstrates this perfectly in Season 1, Episode 4, “Daddy Robot,” when the Heeler kids enlist Bandit as a robot to help them do their chores (spoiler: Daddy Robot isn’t as helpful as they expected). In this episode, their “Daddy Robot” is the toy; Bandit is what makes the game fun! If "Daddy Robot" isn't your style, try peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, or tickles instead.
4. Wait before stepping in to help
As seen in Season 1, Episode 11, “Bike,” a little struggle can go a long way! Bluey, specifically, is struggling with a childhood rite of passage—learning to ride a bike. Bandit doesn’t step in, though; in fact, he does the exact opposite, and Bluey figures it out on her own! This can be hard. It’s natural to anticipate and fulfill your child’s wants and needs to speed things along or avoid seeing them struggle (both are valid—it’s okay!). But what if you waited a little longer, letting them fail and be challenged? This opens up opportunities for them to use their communication skills to ask for help, express emotions, and practice independent problem-solving. It’s a win-win either way.
5. Try a little (gentle) sabotage
Maybe a little more gently than a leaf blower inside the house, but you get the idea. In Season 1, Episode 3, “Keepy Uppy,” Bandit engages in a little sabotage of his own by making it increasingly difficult for Bluey and Bingo to keep their balloon off the ground. Gentle sabotage refers to small, controlled disruptions used to facilitate communication opportunities for a child. Think: a “missing” toy, a “mixed-up” routine, or the “wrong” utensil. Just pay attention to signs of frustration and adjust accordingly. The Hanen Centre explains how to use this strategy effectively in their online resources for parents [5].
6. Take advantage of opportunities for self-advocacy
Chilli is often the voice of reason in the Heeler family. She is a great role model and teacher for their kids, especially in Season 1, Episode 16, “Yoga Ball.” In this episode, Bandit forgets that Bingo is smaller and may not enjoy roughhousing the same way older sister Bluey does. When the rough play becomes too much, Chilli encourages and models a “big girl bark” for Bingo to communicate her discomfort. While you might not be teaching your child to bark, these situations provide an excellent opportunity for parents and caregivers to model words and phrases that facilitate emotional expression, refusal or termination, and communication about health and safety.
7. Give yourself a little grace
Being a parent and caring for children—it’s hard. Sometimes, you won’t have the energy to do all the funny, silly, creative things, and that’s okay. Take Bandit and Chilli in Season 3, Episode 22, “Whale Watching.” Following a late night, they don’t quite have the energy to keep up with their inexhaustible kids. The best they can do is assume the roles of "boat" and "whale" in Bluey and Bingo’s pretend whale-watching expedition—but hey, at least they can still lie down! You might use a strategy incorrectly, forget to use one, or not have the energy to use one that day. Don’t be too hard on yourself—you’re doing the best you can.
Reach out to a speech-language pathologist near you for more information about these early speech and language development strategies.
References:
Vasquez, I. (2025, January 28). “bluey” tops most-streamed show of 2024 with a whopping 55 billion (with a B) minutes streamed! People.com. https://people.com/bluey-tops-most-streamed-show-of-2024-with-a-whopping-55-billion-with-a-b-minutes-streamed-8781401#:~:text=The%20Heeler%20family%20has%20something,across%20Max%2C%20Netflix%20and%20Paramount+
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Early intervention. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/early-intervention/#collapse_1
Get face to face to communicate!. The Hanen Centre - Get Face to Face to Communicate! (n.d.). https://www.hanen.org/information-tips/get-face-to-face
Franchak, J. M., Kretch, K. S. & Adolph, K. E. (2018). See and be seen: Infant–caregiver social looking during locomotor free play. Developmental Science, 21(4), 1-13. doi.org/10.1111/desc.12626
Laura. (2019, October 22). A little frustration can go a long way .....using sabotage and withholding effectively to entice your toddler to talk. teachmetotalk.com. https://teachmetotalk.com/2008/04/20/a-little-frustration-can-go-a-long-way-using-sabotage-and-withholding-effectively-to-entice-your-toddler-to-talk.
