Think of the things your child is most interested in, eg playing with a friend or going out. It is easier for your child to talk about real things they have experienced.

Listen to your child’s questions. Sometimes, you won’t have answers to all of them. Try answering a question by asking a question back, like ‘What do you think will happen?’

Making conversation

Children need opportunities to listen and talk. When adults show children that they enjoy talking with them and are interested in what they have to say, children are more likely to enjoy conversations.

We can help children to have real conversations by showing how to take turns, by listening carefully, and by asking and answering questions. As well as using talk for their basic needs (‘More juice!’), young children can use talk to explore, to find out, and to puzzle over things.

There is no need for adults to make their language especially simple for talking with children. They need to hear lots of different words, and will love adding new ones to those they already know. It can be discouraging for children to have what they say corrected. So if a child says, ‘Him done that’ it is better not to criticise. Instead, you can agree, ‘Yes, he did that’. In this way, children get a model of the ‘right’ language, as well as encouragement to say more.

Talking about books

Sharing books together is one of the best ways to have conversations with a child.

• Look at the cover. What do you think the book is going to be about?
• Let your child ‘read’ to you by talking about the pictures. If he knows the story well, maybe he can be the story teller.
• Look at information books together, like a picture dictionary or an animal book. Talk about the pictures and ask questions eg ‘What did she do that?’, ‘What might happen next?’

Things which encourage talking

• A puppet
• Family photos
• Dressing up clothes
• Photos of places your child has been, things she has enjoyed
• A favourite TV programme

Things to do at home

Making puppets

Making and using puppets can give you a lot to talk about together. Using puppets gives children a chance to talk as if they were someone else. With a little encouragement, they can use their imagination to create stories and dramas of their own`

Below are some simple ways of making puppets

Stick puppets
Glue children’s drawings or magazine pictures onto card. Cut out each drawing and tape it onto a lolly stick – this is the handle for holding the puppet and making it do things

Walking puppets
Glue children’s drawings or magazine pictures onto card. Cut out each drawing. Cut two holes about 1cm apart in the bottom of the drawing – large enough to slip a finger through each hole. Put two fingers through the holes to make the puppets legs