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Conversations Count!
Let’s work on you becoming your child’s conversational partner.
1.
Serve and return is a great way to think about being a conversational partner. It is the back-and-forth interaction between you and your child that happens throughout every day from birth.
Brain Story Concepts: Serve and Return
Resource brought to you by Alberta Family Wellness
2.
Take a look at this video with more information about talking with your baby.
Brain Story Concepts: Serve and Return
Resource brought to you by Alberta Family Wellness
3.
Let’s look at some examples of how talking might happen in daily routines.
Resource: Making Mealtime Learning Time
from Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
4.
Here is a strategy, TALK, developed by the Rollins Center of the Atlanta Speech School, for having meaningful conversations.
Tune-in: Find ways to enter your child’s world and start a meaningful conversation.
Notice what your baby is looking at or doing
Comment on what you noticed
Wait for your baby’s response
T
A
Ask Questions: Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to talk more.
Ask a question related to what you noticed
Wait for your baby’s response
Answer for your baby based on their response
L
K
Lift Language: Model more complex language that you want your child to use.
Narrate everything you or your baby is doing, seeing, hearing or feeling
Use interesting words and well-formed sentences
Use qualities of serve-and-return conversations: loving tone, eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and gentle touch
Keep it going: Try to have at least five back and forth exchanges on a single topic.
5.
Another strategy for having meaningful conversations with your child throughout the day is Vroom, Brain Building Moments. When you join Vroom you will receive daily activities which you can use with your child.
Tip: To get more of these brain-building tips for free, visit vroom.org, download the Vroom app at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or text VROOM to 48258.
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