One of our Speech-Language Pathologists, Brittany Avera,
recently attended a Hanen course in Nashville and became certified in It Takes
Two to Talk- the Hanen Program for Parents of Children with Language Delays.
This program, particularly created for parents of children with language
delays, focuses on ways to build a child’s language skills in a natural
environment during everyday routines and activities. It Takes Two To Talk will impact Building Bridges more
specifically in the following ways:
1. Video recording parents with their children interacting during a daily routine or play
activity. Sounds intimidating, right? Maybe a little at first. However, watching
a video of a parent and child interacting is a valuable tool for a
Speech-Language-Pathologist (SLP) to observe ways that might be impeding a
child’s language development and/or ways that will shape a child’s language
development. Building Bridges Therapy can use this tool with the Babies Can’t
Wait program for ages birth to three as we are in the child’s natural
environment, the home.
2. Observe, Wait, and Listen (OWL) during a daily activity
or routine to see what your child enjoys about an activity. This can be very
difficult for everyone. We all have places to be, grocery shopping to get done,
things to check off our to-do lists, and so on. However, when this concept is
applied when interacting with your child, the child feels more inclined to
communicate first whether that is a word, a sound, or a simple hand gesture.
Set aside five minutes and observe the child doing something he/she is
interested in, wait for communication (not just verbal language, remember
pointing or looking can be communication too), and then listen for ways you can
build on that communication.
3. Follow your child’s lead by responding with interest,
join in and play, use fun sounds and words, imitate his/her actions/sounds,
interpret your child’s message, and make a comment. Try to avoid asking a lot
of questions. Of course, you can do this because questions are natural, but
avoid making your child feel pressured. For example, when a child is playing
with blocks and he/she says “ooo,” the parent or therapist could say “Ooooh, that’s
a block” (imitating and interpreting the child’s message) and then wait again
for the child to take a turn communicating. If the child does not take a turn,
try cueing them with a facial expression or body language and wait. This is a
great approach for parents and therapists to use when building language skills.
4. Say less, Stress, go Slow, and Show. When adding language
to the interactions, use “The Four S’s.” Have you ever been to a foreign
country or talked to someone who does not speak the same language? It can be
stressful when you want something or are trying to get somewhere. Finally, that
person actually takes the time to interpret what is being communicated by
saying the words slowly, repeating, and using hand gestures to help you figure
out what it trying to be said. You actually communicated with this person using
a language you are not familiar with. The same is true with our children. Use
simple language, emphasize important words, slow it down, and use hand
gestures.
5. Here are a few routines parents and SLPs can use when
using the above strategies:
People games such as Peekaboo, Hide and Seek, Horsie Ride,
Tickle, and I’m Gonna-Get-You. All of these games have a high point, or a best
moment. Use those best moments to wait and see if the child will take a turn in
the routine. Songs and Rhymes such as Row, Row, Row Your Boat, The Itsy
Bitsy Spider, and The Wheels on the Bus. These are great routines that have
actions to go along with them and help your child learn to take turns. Your
child will learn these routines and can learn to predict the gestures, words,
and sounds. Other routines may include playing with a rubber duck during
bath time, checking the mail, snack time, or reading a book such as Brown Bear
Brown Bear. These all can help your child learn prediction and routine. Remember
to OWL, take the child’s lead, and use “The Four S’s” during a daily routine.
As always feel free to share with us how it went!
