Yale University
Child Study Center
230 South Frontage Road
New Haven, CT
06520 USA

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Talking and Listening

Talk your way through the day with young children. Talk about everything! Include children in conversation wherever you can.

Describe what you are doing, what the child is doing:

“I am looking in the closet for you red hat.”
“Are you putting your red hat on your head?”

Encourage children to talk about her day:

“Tell me something important that happened today.”
“What is that?”

Be a good listener:

Pay attention and look at the child as she speaks. Let her take her time. Show her that you understand what she said by answering, smiling, or nodding. If she is having trouble getting her point across, patiently encourage her to try again instead of talking for her. If she can’t find the words offer suggestions.

 

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Last modified: May 15, 2006 . (MGE)
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