There are lots of ways to be a ‘super communicator’.
Watch families in the film below to see how they use simple techniques to help develop their children's language skills. These techniques can be used at any time during everyday routines and play.
Ways to be a super communicator with your child
Get down to your child’s level
When you get down to your child’s level they will be able to see what you are looking at and hear your sentences more easily, and you will be sure that you are talking about what interests them the most.
Follow your child’s lead
When you follow your child's lead, you can talk about and describe what they’re interested in. This can help them learn words more quickly.
Describe what your child is doing
When you describe what your child is doing or looking at, you are using the words they need to talk about what interests them. This can help them link words they hear to their meanings.
Pause and wait for your child
When you pause and wait for your child to show you what they are interested in, it gives them time to start communicating or respond to your actions or words. Your child may point, look at an object, or say a word. The words you say will be all about what has interested them, making it easier for them to learn.
Listen, watch and respond
When you listen, watch and respond to your child’s communication, it helps keep the conversation going about something yourchild is interested in. The more turns you and your child take, the more words and sentences your child will learn.
Copy what they say and add a word
When you copy what your child says and add a word, it helps your child know they have shared their ideas with you and helps them learn how to make their sentences longer. If your child says ‘car’, you can reply with ‘big car’, ‘fast car’ or ‘red car’.
Use fewer questions
Questions can put pressure on a child to talk when they may not have the language to answer. To help your child, describe what is happening and talk about what you are doing as you and your child do it.
Ask open questions
When you do ask questions try to keep them open. That means ask ‘what’, ‘why, ‘where’, ‘who’ and ‘how’ questions that encourage more than just ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. When you ask open questions, it helps open up the conversation.
Use an interesting voice
Games and words can be more engaging when you use a fun tone of voice, and this will encourage them to interact and communicate with you. The more you communicate together, the more words and sentences they can learn.
