Be responsive
When your child starts an interaction with you, respond straightaway.
If they send you a message of any kind – a look, a sound, a smile, a body movement, a gesture or word – do or say something to let them know you received their message.
Responding immediately with enthusiasm helps your child connect your response with the message they sent.
When you respond make sure you respond to what your child is interested in, not what you think is important.
Top Tip
Everyday little things go wrong. Spoons fall, crayons break or juice gets spilled. Instead of fixing these little problems right away wait a few seconds to see what your child will do or say – creating an opportunity for them to send a message.
Simple Turn-Taking Games
- Play turn-taking games like rolling a ball or stacking blocks.
- Be responsive to their actions, reflecting their attempts to communicate or share an object. “Your turn! My turn!”
- Make a game with some empty bottles and a ball and take turns to roll the ball and see how many bottles you can knock down.
- Talk about everything you do, saying things like “Well done, you knocked down 2 bottles”.
- When your child smiles, looks at you or makes a sound make sure you respond positively with a smile, positive phrase or action like a high five or a hug or make it interesting like saying “uh oh” every time one falls down.
Mirror Play
- Sit face-to-face with your child and make simple sounds or actions (clapping, waving, or tapping).
- Be responsive by copying whatever your child does, creating a back-and-forth interaction.
This page is part of our Super Six tips, providing you with some suggestions to help get your little one talking.
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