Build vocabulary by giving choices, e.g. apple or satsuma?
Model building sentences by repeating what the child says and adding another word, e.g. child says car, say mummy’s car or blue car.
Give the child enough time to talk with silences to allow the child to respond or pauses to indicate turn talking.
Show children how to pronounce or use words by responding and repeating what they say in the correct way, rather than saying they are wrong.
Capitalise on the link between movement and the urge to make sounds to encourage children to “find their voice”, e.g. when swinging/swaying/jumping/sliding etc.
Accept and respond to words and phrases in home languages.
Encourage parents whose children are learning English as an additional language to continue to encourage use of the first language at home. This helps children learn English as well as being important for cultural and family reasons.
Support children in using a variety of communication strategies, including signing such as with Makaton.
Play with sounds and words children use, such as nonsense language, repeating made-up words or repetitive sounds, linking them to gestures or movement.
