ItIt Takes Two to Talk Takes Two to TalkThe Hanen CentreThe Hanen Centre

Tips and strategies on supporting communication development in your child

Sue Rhind and Marion Kazakos

The Hanen ProgrammeThe Hanen ProgrammeThe Hanen Centre is

committed to promoting the best possible language, social and literacy skills in young children.

ITTTT is a parent programme.

3 Objectives of Hanen courses3 Objectives of Hanen courses

Parent education

Early language intervention

Social support

Language tips and strategiesLanguage tips and strategies

WhatWhyWhoWhereWhenHow

What?What?

Follow your child’s lead

Why?Why?They are more likely to communicate about

what they’re interested in

They’ll learn more when your response relates to their message

They don’t need to switch attention from what interests them to what interests you

Build their confidence and competence

Who?Who?You!!

The “tuned in” you.

Where?Where?Anywhere - wherever your daily activities

and routines take you.

When?When?Any time - during all your daily routines

and activities

Bath time, dinner time, play, walks, cooking, driving in the car, getting dressed, playing in the park etc

Create opportunities eg hiding objects, give 2 choices, offer a little bit then wait

How?How?Get face to faceOWLJoin in and playImitate, interpret, commentTake turnsAdd language

Get face to faceGet face to faceConnect & share

Easier to hear & see

Easier to encourage child to take the lead

O.W.L.O.W.L.Observe – body language, actions, facial

expressions

Wait – stop talking, lean in, look expectantly

Listen

Join in and playJoin in and playFollow the way they’re playingDon’t change the gameWait – every now and then to give them

opportunities to lead

Imitate, interpret, Imitate, interpret, commentcommentCopy their sounds, words, signs, actions

Interpret – put into signs, words what you think they’re trying to tell you

Make a short comment that matches what they’re doing. Can build on what they say.

Take turnsTake turnsHelps them stay in interaction longerTurns can look different (from a look, to

pointing, to a sentence)Match your turns to your child’s: - length - pace - interestCue and wait

QuestionsQuestionsChoice questions

Yes or no questions

Wh questions

Questions that test

Questions that are too hard

Questions that don’t follow their interest

Too many questions

Questions that don’t give time

Turn questions into comments!

Add languageAdd languageGive them words / signsUse specific words (not ‘this’ or ‘that’)Use a variety of wordsExpand Repeat, repeat, repeat

Above all..........Above all..........Follow their lead

Use everyday routines, activities

Tune in

Be patient

Have fun!!