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Talk More! Sign More!

How can you help your child grow a healthy brain?

 

Did you know…

In order for your child to develop age appropriate Listening, Visual Attention, Language (spoken and/or signed) and Literacy skills, your child must hear and/or see 20,000-30,000 words/signs every day.

 

You can use your voice (spoken language) or your hands (sign language) to communicate with your child. Tune in to what interests your child and use lots of descriptive words/signs to increase vocabulary.


 

Here is what you can do

  • Try using Self Talk. When you’re making that first cup of coffee, talk/sign through each step! “Mommy can’t wait for her coffee this morning! Mommy is opening the cabinet to get her favorite coffee mug. Mommy needs some water, turn it on! Do you hear/see that? Can you hear/see/feel the running water?”
  • Try using Parallel Talk. When baby is lying in the crib, looking up at the zebra on the mobile, describe to her what she is doing, what she is seeing, and how she if feeling. “You’re relaxing in your crib, aren’t you? You’re lying comfy on your back looking up at the zebra on your mobile. He is hanging there, smiling down at you!”
  • Try using Expansion. When baby reaches for the car and says/signs. “vroom, vroom,” you respond with, “You want the car, don’t you? Cars go “vroom, vroom!” They can move fast!” If you are signing with your child, remember to make the sound of the car visual on your mouth.
  • Try Serve and Return. When your child makes a vocalization or sign approximation (when baby’s hands aren’t making the exact hand shape for the sign), whether it’s a phrase, a coo, or a gesture, respond to her and keep the conversation going. Strive for five back and forth turns and be your child’s conversational partner.
  • Try using Big Words. Don’t be afraid to use Tier 2 words. Call a car without a top a “convertible.” Call dirt in the garden “soil.”
  • Use your home language! Use the language you’re most comfortable with to build strong language skills.
  • If your child is not learning and communicating at the same rate as other children, contact Babies Can’t Wait, GA PINES, your local school system for children over 3 years old, or Georgia Mobile Audiology for resources.