Comment on what your child is doing

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Comment on what your child is doing (253kB)

Use simple sentences to talk about what you are doing during the day

• • Use an animated and lively voice.

• • You can describe what you are doing. For example: “Mummy’s eating. Yummy” “Jumping on the bed. Yay!”

• You can talk about what things are. See what your child is focused on or point things out to your child and label/say what it is For example: While looking up at bird together “Look, bird” While eating your dinner “Beans. Yummy” While colouring in a book “Dolly”

• You can describe things. For example: “Dirty hands!” “Hot! Hot tea”

• Pause and leave a short amount of time after you have used simple language to give your child time to copy you, but do not make them copy.

• When playing games or looking at a book with your child, use simple, but repetitive language. It is good for your child to hear a word used several times and in different situations. For example: When playing with a car; “Push. Push the car. Push hard. Push” When out shopping; “Push. Push the door.” “Push the trolley.”

What not to do

• Do not say “say…….” (for example telling your child to “say dog” can make them feel under pressure and less likely to say the word)

• Do not put pressure on your child to talk (pause and wait for them to communicate during play and everyday activities, this creates more opportunities for them to join in and communicate rather than being asked lots of questions such as “what is this?” “what’s your name?” “can you say apple?”)

• •Do not ask too many questions: lots of questions can increase pressure and reduce the number of spontaneous comments your child makes.

When your child says a word or phrase

• Listen carefully and respond to what they have said.
• Repeat back what they have said clearly (but don’t make them copy any sounds or words).
  • For example your child says “look tar” you could say “look a car”
  • They say “Jack eat” you could say “Jack is eating”

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

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