The Interaction Coach
This activity gives your child a chance to play independently with markers or crayons in a controlled space.
info_outline 6.232 LITERACY: Writing: Paint with waterThe Interaction Coach
Painting is fun. It’s another way to practice holding a writing tool and using eye-hand coordination.
info_outline 6.231 LITERACY: Writing: Practice pincer gripThe Interaction Coach
At this level your child will develop a pincer grip with index finger and thumb, move arm across midline and scribble with a variety of writing tools.
info_outline 6.230 LITERACY: Reading: Quit before the interest is goneThe Interaction Coach
By the end of this level, your child should look at books with you for at least 5 minutes. They need to learn that time with books is pleasant. The trick is to be done before your child starts squirming away.
info_outline 6.229 LANGUAGE: Literacy: Encourage independent readingThe Interaction Coach
Children at this level like to look at books on their own. If it’s one you’ve read with them, they will look for favorite pictures or turn pages back and forth. You might hear them talking out loud as if they are reading.
info_outline 6.228 LANGUAGE: Use Speech: Accept any pronunciationThe Interaction Coach
Children at this level are not able to use all the speech sounds. We want your child to learn that their speech is effective. Don’t make them try to repeat the word “better.” Focusing on articulation is for later, after they are communicating more.
info_outline 6.227 LANGUAGE: Use Speech: Model “What’s that?”The Interaction Coach
Asking for information is an important function of communication. When you model the question and then the answer, they learn they can go to you to get information.
info_outline 6.226 LANGUAGE: Use Speech: Model word when child is watching faceThe Interaction Coach
When your child is interested in something, they are more likely to want to talk about it. They will be interested in the word you use to label it.
info_outline 6.225 LANGUAGE: Use Speech: Blow on objectsThe Interaction Coach
Your child is learning how to coordinate their movements in more precise ways. For speech, they need to coordinate all the muscles from their chest up to their mouth. They need to control air flow from their lungs, turn their voice on and off, and move their tongue to many places in their mouth.
info_outline 6.224 LANGUAGE: Use Speech: Model sound effectsThe Interaction Coach
When your child uses animal or car sounds, they’re expressing a meaning. You understand what they’re talking about. That’s communication.
info_outlineHold your flat hand palm up and toward your child. Say the word “wait” as you make the gesture. Model the gesture frequently. Pause or do one short thing and then do something with your child.
Your child’s understanding of this gesture comes in handy when your child is older. Help them get used to the idea that there will be a little time to wait but if they are patient you will get to them.
Today’s activity: Add a “wait” into common activities. You might interrupt an activity like dressing or playing, say “wait, move away briefly to do something then come back. Do this many times during the day to model the use and demonstrate the meaning of the gesture.
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