Top tips for talking
Thank you for taking part in our top tips project with your child. We hope you have found this both useful and informative and it has helped you to develop your child's speech, language and communication skills. Please help us to find out the impact of the project by completing our top tips survey, this should only take a few moments of your time and you will be helping us to improve our services.
Get face to face with your child
- You feel like you are playing together.
- You can see what your child is interested in.
- They can see you are enjoying your play.
- You can both hear each other better.
Follow your child's lead
- It can reduce frustration and your child will play with you for longer.
- It gives them confidence to try things.
- Your child is more likely to learn if he/she is interested.
- It show you are interested.
Comments not questions
- Unlike questions, commenting doesn't put your child under pressure to talk.
- You give your child language as they are experiencing it.
- It show you are interested.
Keep language simple
- You make it easier for your child to understand.
- They can hear the sounds in words clearly.
- You're not bombarding them with too many words.
Repeat, repeat, repeat
- Practice makes perfect.
- The more a child hears a word, the more likely they are to understand it, then use it.
It's good to wait
- You give your child time to talk and to express their interests and feelings.
- Your child has your undivided attention.
- You don't take over and control the conversation.
- You take into consideration the feelings, needs and curiosity of your child.
This page was last updated on 19 March 2012
