How Can Communication Temptations Help Your Child Talk?
Leanne Sherred, M.S., CCC-SLP
Why do we communicate?
There are so many reasons, but here are a few of the most important: We communicate to express our thoughts, feelings, and basic needs. We also communicate in order to connect with people and stay close with family and loved ones.
What do all of these purposes for communication have in common? They are all extremely rewarding. They add value to our life.
In order to help your child start using words, you have to give them a little taste of the rewards of verbal communication. This means we start very simple, and teach them how to communicate their basic needs and desires. We can do this through a technique called communication temptations.
Maybe your child hasn't started to talk, or maybe they've begun to use a handful of words. Either way, communication temptations are an effective strategy to try. Let's learn how.
How do communication temptations help toddlers learn to talk?
Communication temptations are basically a way to encourage a child to communicate. We do this by offering a toy, snack, treat, or anything desirable, without rushing to give it to the child right away.
You can place one of these desirable items just slightly out of reach of your child, so they have to say something like “Help!” in order to receive it. You could also show them choices of something they may like to eat, without automatically handing it to them.
Notice that in these examples, we don't hurry to give the child what they want. This is where the temptation piece comes into play. We have to give a child time to process and problem solve. Maybe they can see the snack they want, but they have to figure out how to get it from you. They will learn to do this through speech. This is key in motivating your child to begin to talk!
How to use communication temptations in everyday situations
Children respond best to communication temptations when they're used during daily activities.
To start adding communication temptations into your everyday routine, think about things that your child typically likes or requests throughout their day. This might be a book, toy, snack, drink--anything that's motivating!
Let’s use the example of a snack. When it's time to sit down and eat, place your child at the table or in their high chair, but don’t give them the snack just yet. Be sure to place the snack where they can easily see it. Then, wait and see if your child will vocalize for their first bite.
Place the snack where your child can see it. Then, wait and see if your child will vocalize for their first bite.
When your child shows that they want the snack through a vocalization (either by imitating your words or saying words on their own), reward them with a bite. Cheer and praise them for their response! Once your child feels this sense of accomplishment, they will be more likely to continue communicating for what they want.
Keep snack time structured: request-reward-request-reward, etc. This may be different from how you've done snack time in the past. And it may feel a little strange. But this is the perfect opportunity to encourage your child to gain new, functional language skills.
Help your child learn to use words
The ultimate goal is to have your child begin saying their first words, or more words than they're currently using, through the use of communication temptations.
But sometimes we have to figure out what types of words to expect. Your toddler may start out by imitating words that you say, or model, for them. Or they may say words spontaneously, on their own.
When you offer your child the desired item, wait for about 10 seconds. If your child doesn't ask for the item, give them a word model.
If your child doesn't ask for the item, give them a word model.
Here's an example. Let’s say you get out your child’s favorite stuffed animal, a toy dog. If your child does not say the word “dog,” or something close to “dog,” then model it for them. You could say, “Dog! I see the dog!" If they reach for the dog, you can model, "Dog, I want the dog!"
Once your child is consistently imitating your word models, it's time to prompt them to say words spontaneously. Give your child a little longer to respond, without jumping in to give them a word to imitate. We have to increase the challenge just enough in order to help your child talk independently.
Communication temptations can help toddlers talk in phrases
Communication temptations can also help your early talker begin speaking even more! Once your child is consistently using single words during communication temptations, you can begin to prompt them to say longer phrases.
You can do this by modeling a phrase that is one word longer than what they are giving you. For example, if your child says “Cookie!” in order to request a treat, then you can model, “Cookie, please!” or “More cookie!”
As your child starts giving you two-word phrases, focus on increasing to three-word phrases, such as “I want cookies!” or “More cookies, please!”
