Self-Talk Tasks
Here's What To Do
Pick a simple task that your child can observe you doing as you hold them or as they sit in a bouncer or baby seat. Examples: preparing a bowl of cereal, doing a load of laundry, or getting mail from the mail box.
As you perform the task, use “self-talk” by narrating everything you do from start to end.
When using self talk, be as detailed as possible so your child can absorb as much langage as possible while observing the task.
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Position your child in a comfortable safe place, turn them toward you to catch their attention.
Engage:
- Say the exact name of every object needed for the task and thoroughly explain each step of the task while your perform it. Like: "First, I'm going to get a bowl from the cabinet. Then, I need the milk from the fridge and cereal from the shelf..."
- Hold up the objects for your child to see, repeat the names of the objects, and if safe allow your child to touch the objects.
Encourage:
- Notice where your child is looking, and talk about what they're looking at.
- Wait for your child to make sounds and respond by imitating and/or repeating their sounds
Reflect:
- Share your observations of your child and describe their reactions like “you smiled so big when I poured that bowl of cereal.”
Not quite ready?
Even if it seems like your child is not understanding yet, you're helping them learn new vocabulary words.
Ready for more?
Ask your child to repeat words that you use in your narration, like: "Can you say 'milk?'"
As your child masters this skill...
Your child will respond to you with sounds or movement when the tasks are being performed and pay attention to what you're doing.