Why is this important?
The adult’s role is crucial in naming the things that interest your child as he/she reaches out or points: this is how early words begin to make sense.
What to do
- Whilst looking at picture books, playing, eating or going about your daily routine, watch what captures your child’s interest as he/she reaches out or points.
- Say what they see! Use single words: making noises or gestures is fun and adds to meaning.
- It makes it more fun to let your child take the lead, turning the pages of a book and playing with things he/she chooses.
- Your child will begin to understand what those words mean as he/she learns to connect them with what he/she is watching.
Step up
- Pause – give your child a chance to copy.
- If he/she does, repeat it again yourself and add another:
- ★ Child: ‘Car!’
- ★ You: ‘Yes, car!’
- ★ Then add another word: ‘Blue car!’
Step down
- Use just one word with interesting intonation to ‘label’ what your child can see (e.g. ‘banana!’, ‘mmm!’, ‘nice!’).
- One of the easiest words to start with is ‘more’ as there are many opportunities for repetition in many different contexts (e.g. food, swinging and tickling games,singing).
- Be face-to-face and at his/her level so that it’s easier to see and hear you.
- Use a sign or gesture to reinforce what you say.
- Make sure you respond to what captures his/her interest rather than yours!
- Show how pleased you are.
