Topic “Early communication”  

Picture books

1. Get 2 simple books with clear pictures. Or choose flap or pop-up books. Offer the child a choice. The book the child reaches for or looks at is considered the child's choice.

2. Get comfortable with the child and look at the first picture. Use lots of animation in your voice and lift the flap or move the pop-up feature or point to an item on the page and name it at the one word level e.g. 'Look...........apple!' or 'Look...........monkey'.

3. The child may not want to continue very long with this ......a few minutes attention is OK. Finish the activity on a good note even if you have only liked at one or two pictures.

Ask parent for family photos from home

Two different attractive books

1. Hold the two books for the child to choose from where the child can see but a distance apart - it is easier to make a choice if objects are not too close.

2. If necessary help the child to choose by following the child's eye gaze and then guiding their hand to that book. Say 'You want this one.'

A chosen book

Somewhere comfortable and pleasant to read together

Blow some bubbles to get the child's attention / Blow a balloon up and then let the air out to make a noise.

Get ready to do the activity again, but wait for the child to indicate that they want some more.

Bricks or stacking beakers.

Small bucket

Sand in a sand pit

Spade

Small animal to hide at the bottom of the bucket.

Several containers

Large amount of bottle tops (or other similar material)

• water tray or washing up bowl;
• containers of various sizes;
• sponges;
• apron(s).

1. Try actions that the child might enjoy, for example squeezing out the sponge, pouring water over their hands, flicking a little bit of water towards the child;

2. Stop and wait;

3. Look for any sign that the child might want the action repeated, this could be looking, smiling, a slight movement. For some children the only indication they might make is not moving their hands away;

4. Repeat the activity.

Hand held battery operated fan.

One or materials with different textures, for example:

• rough and smooth textures;
• shaving foam;
• play dough (you can make your own play dough very cheaply - see https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Affordable-Play-Dough/)
  

Musical instruments, for example:

• percussion instruments,
• battery operated musical toys.

Any toys which have a quick response, e.g. a jack in a box.

- A piece of material - this could be a blanket, a muslin, a cloth, a scarf.

1. Sit down with your child.
2. Call your child's name to encourage them to look at you.
3. Hold up the cloth between yourself and your child so that you cannot see each other's faces. Make a noise to help your child anticipate what will happen, e.g. "ooooo".
4. Pull the cloth down and say "boo" maintaining eye contact with your child.
5. Wait for a response, e.g. your child smiling and then say "more" and repeat the activity.

No materials required.

1. Sing songs with simple actions like 'Row row the boat' (with rocking).

2. When the song is very familiar pause after (or during) the song and encourage the child to indicate that they want the song to continue by looking at you, smiling, or pulling on your hands to continue rocking.

- A selection of vibrating toys, light and sound toys.