What is BLUSH?

BLUSH (Books and Language Unite St Helens) is a partnership scheme between St Helens Library Service and the St Helens Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service which aims to give children a flying start in life by encouraging a love of reading through which they can develop their language and communication skills at an early age.

BLUSH provides you with techniques to engage your child in the act of reading and teach them to develop their language and communication skills by talking to you about the stories and pictures. BLUSH suggests using blank level questions to ask alongside reading a book. These questions help adults change their language so that the child understands what they are being asked. Try using some of our helpful tips and sample blank level questions with age guidance below.

Sharing a book with a child is fun! It is a time for closeness, laughing and talking together and it can also give children a flying start in life and help them become lifelong readers. If you don't feel confident about reading aloud or sharing books, do not worry - there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a story together!

Please Remember: You know your child best - if you have concerns about your child's speech and language development you should discuss this with your health visitor, GP, or your child's nursery/school who will be able to make a referral if necessary. 

BLUSH Tips

Ready to get started and practice using BLUSH with your child? Here are a few tips:

• Find a comfortable place to sit and read together, perhaps on a comfy sofa or even snuggled up in bed 

• Read the story together and don't worry if your child cannot understand all the words, just enjoy the pictures and use them to tell the story.  

• Ask blank level questions to chat about what you have just read, using our examples to get started (the age ranges on the questions are just a guide)
• Praise your child for their answers and, above all, enjoy reading and discussing the book together 

BLUSH & Phonics Packs

All of our libraries offer pre-prepared bundles of books targeted towards BLUSH and phonics to help you develop your child's language and communication skills. You can find more information on phonics below and learn how to use technique alongside BLUSH.

These are a great resource if you are unsure how to pick a good book to practice these techniques, or if you just need to pick up some books in a hurry. Simply grab a bundle and take it to the library counter or self-checkout machine with your library card to borrow it.

Please ask staff where to find these in branches if you don't see any on display.

Read & Rhyme

If you want to help your child develop their language and communication skills you can also try joining in with one of our Read & Rhyme sessions in libraries.

Library staff choose and read the books for these sessions using the BLUSH techniques so they are a great demonstration as well as an opportunity for singing and fun with other local families.

What is phonics?

Phonics is the basis of reading and writing. It is a teaching method which works by breaking words down into sounds. Learning the sounds of letters and how those letters sound when they are combined helps individuals to learn to read.

Reading with your child and practicing the phonics sounds together can help greatly with developing literacy skills. We have a selection of books available which can help you learn more about phonics and how to practice reading with your children

Phonics Support Collection