Modeling: A Gentle Strategy That Boosts Communication at Home
If you’re a parent and you’ve found this blog post, you may have heard a professional tell you to “model”.
What does that mean exactly?
I’ll break down the strategy by sharing examples of how you can use your words and actions to help teach your child.
Modeling for Early Communicators
Children are born communicators.
Babies cry to communicate that they are hungry or tired.
They learn that when you smile at them and they smile back, they will likely get your attention.
As they grow, they discover awareness of their bodies.
Around 6 months old, they may start reaching for a toy*.
Within a few months, they’ll start reaching for something to purposefully communicate that they want it.
We call that non-verbal communication a gesture.
Why is this important?
We have learned what gestures babies use to communicate and when they typically develop.
These include: giving, shaking head, reaching, raising arms, showing, waving, and more.*
As a parent, you can model those gestures.
This helps build their communication skills.
Modeling First Words
Babies typically start saying their first words between 12-15 months*.
You can use modeling to encourage your child to say their first word.
Here are a few examples.
During play: Model the word “up” while stacking blocks. Repeat the word often, without putting pressure or expectations on your child.
Bathtime: Push a toy off the edge of the tub into the water to make a splash. Smile playfully and say “uh oh!” Do this a few more times and see what they do.
Meals: Add small crackers to their plate one piece at a time, slowly saying “cracker”, “cracker”, “cracker”.
Expanding Language
Modeling can sometimes take a bit of guesswork.
Children who don’t have the words to tell you what they want can get easily frustrated.
Make your best guess and say it for them.
Maybe your child wants to do what you’re doing.
Model “My turn” or “I can help” as if they were saying those words to you.
Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re still not understanding what they’re trying to communicate.
By modeling, you’re teaching them to use their words, even if you don’t always get it right.
Problem Solving
Help your child learn to be a good problem solver by talking through problems out loud.
For example, when doing a puzzle together, put a piece in upside down. Say, “Hum, this doesn’t fit. Maybe I’ll turn it around.”
This shows them how to talk through a problem and models how to fix it.
You can model both what to say and what to do.
Literacy
We know reading kids a bedtime story is good for them.
Did you know that even having books in the home can impact your child’s success in school?*
Children learn by watching us.
So if you want your kid to be a good reader, then pick up a book. Let them see that reading is important to you.
Materials: If you’d like a list of first words, you can join my newsletter and download a free copy here.
*Sources:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), June 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-6mo.html
First Words Project, 2014, 16 Gestures by 16 Months. https://firstwordsproject.com/about-16by16
Books in home as important as parents’ education in determining children’s education level”, Science Daily, May 21, 2010