Gold Coast Health is recognised for quality patient care, nursing and midwifery excellence and innovations in professional nursing and midwifery practice under the Magnet® Recognition Program.
"Walking together in kindness" artwork produced for Gold Coast Health by Riki Salam, We are 27 Creative.Follow your child’s lead in play. Allow them to choose a play activity. When you are playing with your child, think of a few words you could use as you play. For example, playing with cars you could model “car” and “go” with lots of repetitions. Offer your child things little by little. For example, give them one puzzle piece or one block at a time so that they have to ask for more.
For example, when playing with a farm set, show her/him the horse walking, running, eating, drinking, jumping, sleeping etc. Label what you are doing e.g. “cow”, “cow eat”, “the cow is eating”. Pick a few words to focus on at a time. After you’ve modelled a word a few times, wait a few seconds to see if your child can try to copy you. Instead of insisting that they say it, sound as if you are anticipating them saying it: “Jane, it’s a…” (wait).
Sometimes simple toys and games are the most effective at stimulating language, think about ball play, stacking rings, spinning tops, and musical instruments like shakers and bells.
Different types of play create opportunities for language learning and exposes your child to a variety of situations. Think about:
At home:
The following additional resources are available to support you and your child.
