Top tips for talking

Starting Life Well service has developed top tips for talking to help you develop your child's speech, language and communication skills take a look at our top tips below:

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 shows 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 shows 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