Children will want to play and communication with you more if you show an interest in what they doing. Before you follow your child’s lead it is important to see what it is they are really interested in. To do this, simply take a step back and watch what they are doing before joining in.
Remember to get face to face
When you know what they are interested in you can follow their lead in different ways:
- Join in and do the same thing. Mirror whatever actions, sounds, facial expressions or words they are using.
- If possible, get the same toy/object and do the same thing they are doing (e.g. get your own car and push it on the floor).
- Make a comment. Describe what they are doing. Use this as an opportunity to model language (e.g. pointing to the car and saying “car” or “beep beep”).
Note
- Try not to change or direct your child’s play.
- It is ok if your child plays with toys in a different way.
- Try not to ask questions.
Why
- This shows your child you are interested.
- It gets and interaction going.
- Teaches your child that their communication is valued. This will encourage them to communicate more.
- Promotes shared attention.
- Reduces any demands to ‘perform’.
- Increases their confidence in play and communicating with you. When your child is engaged and having fun with you there are going to be more opportunities for them to learn and communicate with you.
- Promotes language development – you are using language that matches their interests.
- More fun!
What next?
When you have done something…wait!
- Stop, wait and see if your child responds.
- They might smile, look at the toy, look at you, point, laugh or use words.
- They may move away…and this is ok too! Try again later.
- They may move away…and this is ok too! Try again later.
If they keep the interaction going…Respond to what your child says or does.
- Take another turn!
- Copy them again or model more language
- If you child uses a word you could expand this by adding another word (e.g. “fast car”). If you child looks at you or laughs you could model what they could say (e.g. “again”).
