<![CDATA[Lincoln Uinta Child Development Association - Toddler Talk]]>Tue, 21 May 2013 06:07:50 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Help Me Talk Workbook]]>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:45:29 GMThttp://www.lucda.org/2/post/2013/01/help-me-to-talk.html
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<![CDATA[Talking with your newborn]]>Sun, 28 Oct 2012 02:55:17 GMThttp://www.lucda.org/2/post/2012/10/talking-with-your-newborn.htmlPicture
One-sided Conversation
At this stage, most of your language interaction with your baby is one-sided. They may make reflexive or bodily noises like snorting, grunting, crying, etc. We then interpret them with meaning, and a conversation is born! This is the basis of their later interaction skills, and helps them learn all about your voice and the way you speak. It also helps you not to go mad as you spend hours on your own with a newborn – chat away!

Interesting Voice
You might feel a bit odd, but it’s important to use a melodic and exciting voice for your baby. It’s called parentese and is used around the world by people to entertain their children. Stop when you find yourself using it with an adult in public…

Repetition
The first few weeks of a baby’s life are so shocking and confronting – new temperatures, new bodily functions, new sensations. It must be totally overwhelming for them, no wonder they cry so much! On top of the physical comfort we give our babies, we can also add to their feelings of safety by using the same words over and again to ‘warn’ them of what is going to happen. Of course, they can’t yet understand our words, but they do know our voices. And they help your child feel safe as the same thing happens each time. 
Try:
  • 1-2-3-up! – when you are about to pick them up
  • Diaper off! before you expose them to the cold air!
  • Are you hungry? lets him know that you are about to feed him.

Name Feelings
After knowing your baby for a few weeks, you will learn to anticipate some of their small range of emotions: happy/content, hungry, grizzly, tired, etc. Name them for your child – your voice calms them and it helps keep the one-sided conversation going.
Try:
  • You sound hungry! Are you hungry? Yum yum yum
  • Oh, you’re so tired. What a tired girl you are. Sleepy time now
  • Do you like that? Is that fun in the bouncer? Are you having a good time?

Sing Songs
Singing songs to calm your baby is an oldie and a goodie. I have four songs that I sing to my three over and over again – they’re similar tunes and keys, and all lead into each other without too much thought: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Hey Diddle Diddle, Hush Little Baby and Hey Dee Ho. I sometimes add songs to the repertoire, but these are the favourites that they request when they are unwell. Pick songs you like – you are going to be singing them for many years to come.

People
Help your baby learn people’s names – including their own. He doesn’t know his name yet, so many of your conversations can be as stimulating as “Hello baby Jack, it’s Mummy!” or “Where’s Sarah? Here’s Sarah!”. Name people for your baby when you hand him over: “Here you go to Daddy” or “Do you want a cuddle with Nana?”

This article was taken from PlayTalkLearn.com Click name to check out this informative site.
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<![CDATA[Lesson: Turn Taking]]>Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:05:31 GMThttp://www.lucda.org/2/post/2011/08/lesson-turn-taking.html
Tips for parents:
  1. Whenever your child starts a conversation, respond positively.
  2. Your child may try to join a conversation with a comment that has nothing to do with what you are talking about.  Acknowledge the comment, but suggest that you talk about that subject later.  Gently remind your child about the subject you are talking about.
  3. Remember to include as many comments as questions in your conversations.  A string of questions with yes/no answers will quickly dead-end a conversation.  Instead say, "Tell me about it" or "How did you do it?"
  4. Get your child's attention before you talk.
  5. Talk in short, simple sentences that you know your child can understand.  
  6. If you make a comment or ask your child a question, give the child enough time to answer.  
  7. Don't put pressure on your child to answer you.
  8. Show your child how to end a conversation or change a subject.  

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