It Takes Two to Blog

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!