
Effective Communication
All babies and children respond differently to different voices and environmental sounds.
There are 5 key steps to ensuring effective communication.
- Eye to eye
Get down at your child’s eye level so they can see your face and you can see theirs.
( Sit on the floor with your child, or sit them on your knee) - 10 seconds
Wait 10- seconds for your child to respond to you, before you repeat your question. This will help with early turn taking
(count to ten slowly in your head) - A or B
Offer your child choices as often s you can. Showing them and naming alternatives.
( i.e. would you like toast or cereal for breakfast today?) - Actions speak louder than words
Use actions, facial expressions and tone of voice to help children understand and make new words stand out.
(Mime having a drink while asking “do you want a drink?” - Model and extend
Repeat or copy what ever your child does and add one word
(i.e. your child picks up a car and says “car” you pick up a car and say “blue car” if they repat “blue car” praise them and say “yes, big blue car”