Playing with toys and talking about the activity as you go along is a great way to stretch children’s language and communication. You don’t need fancy toys. Just some basic things and a bit of imagination. Just think of all the things you could do with a large box. It could be a castle or a ship or a space rocket.
The most important thing to think about is choosing a toy that is right for the child’s developmental level. Language and communication skills aren’t just about learning more words. There are many other skills that form the foundation of communication. Cause and effect for example. Listening, reaching, pointing and turn taking are all important skills supporting the development of early language and communication. Toys, activities and things you do every day can be very encouraging and supportive for children developing their language and communication skills.
Some of these skills sound complicated, but this film will show you some easy ways to understand them.
Reaching and pointing is a good one to start with.
We are only just starting to understand the significance of pointing with the latest research showing that adult responsiveness to this behaviour is an indicator of a child’s language and communication outcomes much later in life.
Here are a few ideas to encourage reaching and pointing. Place a mobile above a child. Encourage him or her to reach for the toys. Remember to place the toys close enough as his or her reach will be limited. Reward the effort with lots of praise. Encourage pointing by watching what interests the child.
Point and name it yourself. If the child reaches for something, try to mould his or her hand into a pointing shape, a closed fist with the index finger out. Then make sure you reward this by passing across the desired item.
Making noises is another great activity.
Whilst playing with a child, make the noises that the toys make. If the child copies you or tries to copy you, then give them lots of praise and repeat the sounds again for them to hear. You could try using the following sounds during their play or regular routines. “Mmmmmm” when eating or “Brmmm brmm” whilst driving a toy car, or “Shoosh” whilst going down the slide. Encourage the child to attempt animal noises when you’re looking out or playing with animals.
Cause and effect is a good one to try – and you can use the Towers Tumbling game.
It’s a very clear cause – hitting the tower – and then watching the effect – it falling down!
This game doesn’t have to be played with a fancy toy tower. You can use cereal boxes or anything.
Taking turns is also very important.
We take turns when we have a conversation and we often take turns when playing together. And this is how children start to learn this important skill.
Communication is a two way process where each person takes a turn. These early turn-taking games will help children practice. Sit opposite the child and take turns doing the following. Rolling a ball or pushing a car to each other step. Rolling a ball at Skittles and knocking them down.
Posting shapes into a shape sorter, pressing buttons or knobs on pressed toys, placing rings on a stacker, turning pages in a book and lifting flaps, placing a brick or stacking cup on a tower. Blowing bubbles, feeding adults.
The list is endless. Just use your imagination.
Teaching early words can be done by making something happen at the same time.
Teaching early words such as “Go”, “More” and “Gone” have a clear purpose. And children quickly learn that these words make something happen. For example, a ball is rolled when “go” is said or children get more food or toys or favour activity when they say “More”!
These words have a function for children which are important for later developments.
Action words describe what people are doing. They can be practiced with the children by doing the things you’re talking about – say, pretending to “wash” or “feed” themselves or Teddy.
To sum up, we hope this film is encouraging you to see that language skills aren’t just about learning more words. We hope you now have lots of new ideas about the many skills that make up communication, listening and playing with sounds, reaching and pointing and turn taking, for example. Include a few of these new ideas in your toolkit and you’ll be well on your way.
