Chapter 2 - Taking Turns

Introduction

Your child will be interested in conversation with you if he/she is able to take an active part. Taking equal turns creates a supportive balance. Balance means that you can encourage your child to use language and that the child gets natural rewards (time and talking with you) while learning. Click on the following topics to learn how to take conversation turns so that your child will learn language.

• Why is turn-taking important for a child?
• What does talking without turn-taking look like?
• How do I let my child know it's his/her turn to talk?
• How long should I wait for my child to take a talking turn?
• How many turns can I take before my child takes a turn?
• What are some ways to prompt my child to take a talking turn in a conversation?
• HOMEWORK: Observing other people talking with my child.