Inklings | The Kids Research Institute Australia

Supporting babies in the critical first years of life

Inklings is a suite of supports that helps caregivers and professionals feel more confident supporting babies’ early social and communication development through sensitive responding.

Developed by The Kids Research Institute Australia, Inklings is built on a simple fact: the everyday moments between babies and their caregivers shape how they learn, connect and grow. When caregivers notice their baby’s cues and respond to them in a sensitive manner, they help build the foundations for connection, communication and learning.

Inklings turns research and evidence into a range of simple, practical supports and tools that can be used in everyday life. It helps caregivers and professionals understand babies’ unique ways of communicating and respond with confidence in the moment.

All Inklings offerings are developed by early childhood researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia to support caregivers, professionals and babies in the critical first years of life.

A child looking up inquisitively at some bubbles that have been blown and are floating around them.

Research and innovation

The Inklings Program

group of women on the floor playing with babies

Community and support

Tiny Moments Playgroup

Educational resources

Baby GEMS: an educator’s overview of baby communication

Educational resources

Me & You communication book

“I came out of it probably with more of an appreciation than I ever thought I would have about acknowledging and recognising cues, whether they be verbal or physical, or just things that I didn’t realise Frankie was doing when she was interacting with me.”
Jake, Inklings Parent, The Australian

“It (Inklings) was game-changing for us, it helped me discover that Lara was actually communicating with me much more than I realised.”
Patricia, Inklings Parent, The Australian

“Every baby is different, we just learnt his way of playing, and he’s a completely different baby now. He was feeling like he wasn’t being heard and now he’s opened up to everyone.”
Chloe, Inklings Parent, South Western Times

“It’s about giving them the opportunities to communicate the way they want to.”
Michelle, Inklings Parent, The Australian

“It really helps to bring you and your child closer together because you feel like you can understand them, and they feel like they’re understood.”
Laura, Inklings Parent, The Examiner