Currently working on

I’ve joined a group of mums to answer a Monday question. This week’s is:

"What have you been working on with your child these first two months of 2020?"

Coraline does not have words and we use photos to show her what we are doing next, so that she has an idea of what might be coming next e.g. a photo of our house if we are heading home. We are working to build receptive language (understanding of what is being said).

Here's one of my favourite things we are currently doing, as advised by Coraline's speech therapist:

Play with your child and be led by them for five minutes a day. Don't interfere! Coraline sets the agenda.

I love it! It shows how much we steer things without even realising it. I couldn't believe how much I did when I first tried it.

I get on her level face-to-face with her, follow her lead, copy her noises back to her, describe what she is doing in simple language with lots of repetition i.e. one or two words e.g. "ball out", "ball in" if she's taking things in and out of a box, plus I use the Makaton signs for the objects or actions where I know them.

It's meant to be fun for both of us, but hidden away there's so much going on in terms of building early communication skills.

If she hears a word a lot, it will build her memory of it. Repeating the sounds she makes, makes her feel important, gives confidence that what she is saying is meaningful, and also models turn taking. Apparently the language, whilst giving a simple commentary, is more meaningful to Coraline because she is choosing what we are doing.

The other thing which it really made me aware of was to wait whilst Coraline does something, or whilst she takes a turn, as it might take her longer to process things. I realised how much I might prompt or show or intervene, and really I just need to sit back and give her time which, again, is so important for confidence.

You realise the joy a child gets when they lead, and you also realise that simple can be great fun. It doesn't have to be fancy what you're doing at all and they love it, because they are setting it.

It’s called the "Adult Child Interaction" approach (ACI). If you try it, I'd love to know what you think!