July 2009

Tips from Camp 3

Ways to Involve your Child in Conversations

Have them call a family member or a friend on the phone:

• Have them say hello and tell them who is calling.
• Before calling, practice a few questions for them to ask or a story about something interesting they have done recently.
• Have your child initiate these questions and stories to the person on the phone.
• When the other person on the phone either answers the questions asked or makes comments about their story, have them wait and listen to what the person is saying, and then help them to reply.
•  Work with your child on keeping the conversation going, when they seem like they are ready to end it, have them end it and say goodbye.

It might be a good idea to prepare the person you will be calling.  Tell them that your child will either be asking them questions or telling them a story.  Make sure that you tell the person on the phone to wait until your child ends the conversation as well as uses simple words when replying to what your child is saying.

Continue conversations when your child gets to school:

• Introducing themselves:  Have your child introduce their self to a new student in their classroom. 
• Beginning a conversation:  Have them tell a classmate about an art project they did. 
• Joining in a conversation:  Have your child ask if they can join in on a group game either at recess or during center time.
• Ending a conversation:  Have your child tell their friends at school that play time or recess is over and they will see them later.

Continue conversations at home:

• Introducing themselves:  When someone comes to visit your home, have your child introduce themselves.
• Beginning a conversation:  Have your child tell a friend what they did at school today.
• Joining in a conversation:  Have them ask to join in on a game with parents, brothers, or sisters.
• Ending a conversation:  In the middle of your child’s conversation with someone go up to them and tell them that you are waiting to speak with them, have your child end the conversation with the person they are already speaking with and come and talk to you.

Continue conversation in a peer group:

• Introducing themselves:  When somebody new moves into the neighborhood, have your child introduce themselves.
• Beginning a conversation:  Have your child tell a friend what they did over the weekend.
• Joining in a conversation:  Have them ask to join in on an activity or event that is going on in your neighborhood.
• Ending a conversation:  When your child is in the middle of playing with others or on the phone, tell them to end the conversations and to come and see you.

  We have just described a few scenarios that would be helpful to your child at the beginning a conversation, joining in a conversation, and ending a conversation.  Remember that giving them instances to wait, listen, and share  will also help them when conversing with friends.

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