Notts Top Tips for Communication
Ideas to help you support your child's communication and language, including what to do, how to do it and why it helps.
Our best place is face to face
Find out more about being face to face with your child.
Download a printable version: Our best place is face to face
What to do...
- Try to move to be opposite your child
- If you are able to, get down to be at the same level as your child
How?
Example: This could be sitting or lying on the floor or kneeling opposite your child
Why?
- Helps you to connect with your child
- You and your child can see each other better - this makes communication easier
Supporting videos and information
- Get down to your child's level: Teddy bear's picnic - BBC Tiny Happy People
- Get down to your child's level: Play the name game when out and about - BBC Tiny Happy People
- Get down to your child's level: Chatting at mealtimes - BBC Tiny Happy People
- Get down to your child's level: Playing copycat games with a ball - BBC Tiny Happy People
- Get down to your child's level: Hanging up laundry together - BBC Tiny Happy People
- Get down to your child's level: Doing the laundry together - BBC Tiny Happy People
Watch, wait and listen to me
Find out how you can watch, wait and listen to your child.
Download a printable version: Watch, wait and listen to me
What to do...
- Wait for your child to show they want to play with you
- Watch and listen for a body movement or gesture, a sound or word
How?
Example: Your child may raise their hands or say clap to ask you to clap hands with them
Why?
- Gives your child time to think and show you what they are interested in or want to tell you
- Shows your child that you are interested in what they are doing and trying to tell you
Supporting videos and information
Follow my lead
Find out more about following your child's lead.
Download a printable version: Follow my lead
What to do...
- Join in your child's play, following what they are already doing
- Focus on your child's interests and what they are doing rather than trying to direct them
How?
Example: If your child starts stacking blocks into a tall tower, join in and take turns adding blocks and building with them
Why?
- Shows that you are interested in what they are doing and how they are playing
- Develops a shared focus on an activity your child finds fun
- Get's communication started
Supporting videos and information
Copy, repeat, imitate
Find out how you can copy, repeat and imitate your child to support their communication skills.
Download a printable version: Copy, repeat, imitate
What to do...
Copy any attempts your child makes to communicate - this could be body movements, sounds, gestures or words
How?
Copy the sounds your child is making if they are saying "babababa", you do the same and wait
Why?
- Shows your child you are interested in what they are doing and saying
- Helps your child to take turns for the beginning of conversations
Supporting videos and information
Talk about what’s happening
Find out more about talking about what is happening and why this supports both interaction skills and language development.
Download a printable version: Talk about what's happening
What to do...
- Talk about something your child is playing with or looking at
- Use words and sentences to describe what is happening
How?
Example: If your child is playing with a hammer toy, you could say you've got a hammer, or you're hitting the blocks
Why?
- Gives your child words and sentences that link to their focus
- Shows you are interested
- Reduces pressure to speak
Supporting videos and information
Say what I would if I could
Find out how to say what your child would if they could.
Download a printable version: Say what I would if I could
What to do...
- Interpret your child's gestures, body movements, sounds, and attempts at words as being meaningful
- Say what they would if they could!
How?
Example: If your child raises their arms and says "eh", you say "let's have a cuddle!"
Why?
- Helps your child know that their communication means something to you
- Gives your child the words they might be trying to say
Supporting videos and information
Share books with me
Find out how sharing books with your child supports communication skills.
Download a printable version: Share books with me
What to do...
- Let your child choose a book and look at it together
- Talk about what you can see
How?
Example: When looking at an animal picture book, you could say "it's a snake", "the bird is flying", "wow, what a big elephant!"
Why?
- Supports word learning, sentences, and stories
- Develops child's attention, listening and interest in books
Supporting videos and information
- Listen, watch and respond: Reading books with a toddler - BBC Tiny Happy People
- Download Chat, play, read booklets | Words for Life
- Walking Through the Jungle Story Book - YouTube
Why not visit your local library?
- Nottingham City: Home | Nottingham City Libraries
- Nottinghamshire County: Reading and Libraries | Inspire - Culture, Learning, Libraries
Talk to me during daily routines
Find out how to turn your daily routines into language rich activities for your child.
Download a printable version: Talk to me during daily routines
What to do...
- Think about something you do most days that would be an easy time to introduce more talking
- Talk about what you are doing
How?
Example: When getting dressed, say "Let's put your coat on"; at meal times, say "It's time for dinner"; at bath time, say "Here's some soap"
Why?
- Introduces language into routines children are already doing
- Provides words and sentences in the same way every day
Supporting videos and information
Say what I see
Find out why say what I see helps your child to develop their language skills.
Download a printable version: Say what I see
What to do...
- Name objects and actions as your child is playing
- Name what your child is looking at or showing an interest in
- Talk about the actions your child is doing throughout their day
How?
Example: At bath time use the words: water, shampoo, hair, wash, splash and dry
Why?
Supports word learning and sentence building
Supporting videos and information
Copy and add to my words
Find out more about how to copy and add to your child's words.
Download a printable version: Copy and add to my words
What to do...
When your child says a word or sentence, repeat it back and add on a word
How?
Example: If your child says "cat", you can respond the "cat is jumping", "the cat's gone!" or "it's a fluffy cat"
Why?
- Supports word learning and sentence building
- Helps children to hear how to say a word
Supporting videos and information
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