Promoting social attention, interaction and communication skills

What our reSearch tells us

Young children are constantly learning. They learn from interaction with other people. If a child has difficulties in their social attention, interaction and communication skills, their ability to learn from others is affected.

Social attention interaction and communication difficulties can include reduced, infrequent, or inconsistent:

• - Eye contact
• - Response to name
• - Pointing to ‘show’, following gaze
• - Waving, clapping and other actions
• - Copying others

Every child is different. Using simple and effective strategies matched to their interests and learning style can help him/her to develop communication and social skills. This booklet is designed for interacting with children aged between 11 and 30 months. If you would like more information, talk to a Maternal and Child Health Nurse.

TALK

Watch and comment

Talk about the objects, people, actions and events your child is interested in.

Describe what is happening

When playing with your child, talk about what you are doing. Example: While ‘feeding’ a baby doll, say “baby is hungry, baby is eating the food”.

Repeat the sounds and words that your child says.

Pause between words and phrases and wait to see if your child responds or copies what you say.

Exaggerate key words

Example: “Look a train”, “It’s a dog” or “Give me the book, please”

Build on what your child says

Example: If your child has:
• no words, use only one word when speaking with them – e.g. “drink”
• single words, then use two words when speaking with them – e.g. “More drink?”
• two words, then use three words when speaking with them – e.g. “You want drink?”

Ask questions.

Encourage your child to respond by asking questions then pausing

SHOW

You can support your child’s learning and communication by showing them what you are talking about. There are a number of ways you can do this.

Show what you want your child to do

Children learn by watching others. When you have your child’s attention, slowly break down a task and provide step-by-step guidance so they can see what you’re doing.

Example: You can demonstrate how to read a book by showing your child how to turn the pages. You can also show them to do it themselves by physically guiding their hand.

Say what you want your child to copy

You can verbally model words or phrases for your child to use.

Example:As you give something to your child, say “Thank you”.

Use real objects

Showing your child the object you are talking about can help them to understand that they have names.

Example:As you say “book”, hold up the book to show your child.

Use gestures and actions

You can help your child to understand the meaning of your words by adding gestures and actions. Make these movements obvious so your child notices!

Example:Gestures include head nod for ‘yes’ and head shake for ‘no’, waving for ‘good-bye’ etc.

Use pictures

Showing your child pictures of what you are talking about can also help them to understand the meaning of your words.

Example:Show your child a picture of their shoes, and then say, “get your shoes”.

PLAY

When playing, follow your child’s lead by joining in with whatever they are doing or the things they are playing with. This makes play enjoyable for both you and your child.

Playing with toys and games together can encourage your child to communicate with you by asking for help, asking for more, taking turns, looking at you, making sounds or saying words etc.

Toys that encourage communication include:

Bubbles - blow some bubbles for your child to catch. Wait and see if your child will look at you, gesture, or use a sound or word to tell you they want you to blow more bubbles.
Wind-up toys and Music boxes - wait and see if your child asks you for help. Notice if they look at you, gesture, or make a sound when something happens.
Balls - roll a ball towards your child and then encourage them to roll it back to you.
Blocks - build a tower and knock it over – does your child look at you, gesture towards you, or make a sound? Keep some blocks to yourself and see if your child asks for more.

Game to play include:

Peek-a-boo - hold up a blanket and say, “where’s (child’s name)?” Then pull blanket down with excitement and say “Peekaboo.” Repeat.
Tickles - hold your hands up in front of child and move hands in tickling motion while saying, “Tickle, tickle, tickle.”
Chasey/I'm going to get you - say “I’m gonna get you” several times, as you keep moving closer to your child with your hands out in front of you.

SING

Sing songs that use rhyme and repetition
Sing familiar songs and repeat over and over. After singing the song a few times, pause and watch to see if your child will use their body or words to tell you they want the song to continue.
Add simple actions or movements You can help your child to copy your actions or movements. Gradually reduce the help you provide them until they are able to copy the actions by themselves.
Try sitting in front of your child when singing so they can watch your actions.
Remove distractions such as the iPad or television so they can focus on interacting with you.

Songs appropriate for all ages:

• This Little Piggy
• Open Shut Them
• Twinkle Twinkle
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm
• Incy Wincy Spider
• Children of the Dreaming
• Inanay

Songs involving movement:
(for children 24 months and older)

• Hokey Pokey
• RIng-around-a-rosey
• Sleeping Bunnies
• Head, shoulders, knees and toes
• Incy Wincy Spider
• Row, row, row your boat

READ

Read books that have good rhyme, rhythm and repetition and readability.
Watch to see what pictures your child looks at and name that object.
Ask simple questions about the pictures such as, “Where is the dog?” and watch to see if your child points or gestures.
Pause before saying a certain line or phrase in the book to see if your child will complete it.
Link to your child’s interests. Let them choose a book in the library. Show them two to choose from if they find it hard to make a decision.

Appropriate books for younger children (12 months and older) may include:

• - "That's not my..." books
• - Spot books
• - Where's the green sheep?

Appropriate books for toddlers (24 months and above)may include:

• - Brown Bear, Brown Bear
• - The Very Hngry Caterpillar
• - Wombat Stew
• - How the birds got their colours
• - Big rain coming