have simple conversations with you about what we are doing
understand when you ask me to do 2 tasks together like ‘get your shoes and put your coat on please’
ask simple questions to find out about things like ‘what’s that’?
learn lots of new words every day
put 3 or 4 words together to make sentences like ‘me got one’
use words to describe things like ‘it’s wet’, ‘it’s hot’
You can help my talking by
repeating back what I say and adding more words to give me new words to try
listening to what I have to say and replying to me
waiting to give me time to answer your comments and questions
talking with me about what we are going to do and have done
letting me know you’ll have time to talk later if you are too busy now
explaining what we have watched on TV or DVD as it helps me understand what I have seen
Activities we can share together
looking at books, reading, listening to and talking about stories
doing household tasks like –
washing
gardening
cooking
doing jigsaws and playing matching games
playing with construction toys that we can talk about as we build
singing songs and rhymes
going outdoors to play games and visit new places
Things to remember
children learn from adults. Have a special time every day to enjoy playing and talking together
houses are noisy places. Reduce the amount of noise by turning off the TV or radio. It is easier for children to listen without the extra noise
looking at each other will help your child understand how important talking is. Sit so that your child can see your face
too much dummy sucking can reduce the amount of talking your child does and may cause difficulties in speaking. Cut down the amount of time your child has a dummy
your child needs you to talk with them throughout the day. Everyday jobs and routines can be a time to talk with your child like meal times, getting dressed and undressed, bath time, going for a walk, going to the shops, on the bus or in the car
