Hey moms & dads!

I’m Hannah, the founder of Early Language Years, and author of ELY’s Guide to Speech and Language Development. I am delighted to be a new author on The Mag and member of the MiLOWE Kids community. I’m here to provide you with the insights and information you need to create a fun, language stimulating environment. Every month I will provide you with play-based learning ideas, techniques or activities that will advance your child through their linguistic milestones. I am a speech and language therapist, and coach parents of children from birth to five years, on how to facilitate their child’s communication through meaningful interactions, and play-based learning activities. I am passionate about reshaping parent’s interactions with their children, and want to empower them with the insights and knowledge I have learned. Every month, I will be providing #ELYsactivities, #ELYstechniques or #ELYsadvice to parents, that will be fun, and facilitative of language acquisition.

Today, my chosen #ELYstechnique explores how parents talk to children, and impact it has on their child’s communication development.

When we speak to babies, toddlers and young children, we tend to alter our voices to attract their attention. We use simple, short sentences, exaggerated intonation, high pitches, repetitive vocabulary and a slower rate. In the speech and language therapy world, this is known as infant directed speech (IDS).

The reason we use infant directed speech (IDS) is because research has shown these strategies as being facilitative for language acquisition. This ‘sing-song’ type speech is more attractive to your child’s ear, and is imperative for their speech and language development.

The following techniques are evidenced-based strategies used to elicit language from children, some of which you are likely using already, unknowing! They are intended to be used in fun, familiar and everyday environments.

Exaggerated vocal pitch: Research has shown that children respond more, and have preference for a more exaggerated, high pitch voice rather than a low vocal pitch, due to the association between increased vocal pitch and expressions of happiness.

Reference mostly made to ‘here and now’: This is a distinctive feature of IDS whereby language addressed to children has a limited reference to objects and people in their immediate environment. Making reference to ‘here and now’ greatly supports children’s language comprehension.

High proportion of imperatives and questions: Imperatives (requests, commands or forbiddance statements) and questions generally secure a contingent response and engage children in conversation. Remember to use the 3:1 questioning:commenting ratio.

Repetition of words and phrases: Repetition is a primary feature in parents’ talk to children. Adults tend to repeat their own sentences, often using minor variations, and repeat children’s phrases, using correct grammar and longer sentence structures (expansion). Repetition also functions to emphasise specific words and phrases, aiding language comprehension.

Exaggerated pauses giving turn-taking cues: When parents talk to children, they often use exaggerated pauses in an effort to transfer the conversation to their little one. Exaggerated pauses invite children to respond and participate in the on-going conversation.

So, with the above now explained, perhaps consider reflecting on how you are currently communicate with your child, and how IDS techniques could fit into your daily interactions with your little one. Make some memories and see your child’s communication flourish through play-based learning!

If you want more information on facilitating your child’s communication development, and in need of some fun activity ideas, my e-book will provide you with exactly that.

Hannah x

PS. Please feel free to get in touch at any stage, and follow along my instagram account (@elyactivites) for more tips, tricks and techniques.