Following the Child’s Lead

What is following the child’s lead?

Parent(s) join child in activity at his same level, previously started
by child.

Why is it important?
Following your child’s lead can allow longer back and forth
interactions

How to implement:
1. Wait until he's a few steps or minutes into play the join in
2. Try to keep engagement as much as you can by following whatever he is doing
3. If he changes interests move with him.
Example:
Child- is playing with blocks in the living room
Parent- parent joins child playing with blocks
Child- leaves blocks and starts playing with basketball
Parent- waits until the child is successfully into play and joins in playing catch with child
Imitating
What is imitation?
Parent immediately (within 2 seconds) imitates child’s
vocalization or movement

Why is it important?
Your imitation, both verbally and physically, helps to develop
turn taking and sets the format of back and forth conversation
style. It provides an opportunity to interact with your child on his
level.
How to Implement?
Step 1: Wait for your child to make a vocalization or movement
Step 2: Immediately replicate the sound or movement in the same way as your child
Step 3: Your child will likely respond with more vocalization/movement, continue imitating
him for as long as he engages

Example:
Child: vroom vroom (pushing a toy car)
Parent (within 2 seconds of child’s sound) : vroom vroom (pushing a different car)
 Turn Taking
What is turn taking?
When child offers an item, activity, or vocalization parent responds by
vocalization, or gesture. This routine can be multiple cycles of turns or a
single cycle.

Why is it important?
It teaches how to have a conversation, and provides more opportunities
for communication.
What does turn taking look like?
Step 1: your child plays with a toy, or engages in an activity
example: child pushes a car
Step 2: you immediately engage in that activity or toy
example: you get another car and spin it in circles
Step 3: your child responds
Examples of Turn taking games example: he crashes his car into yours
-peek-a-boo, ready-set-go, sing-songs
-passing a ball back and forth
-chasing each other
-blocks
 Labeling
What is Labeling?
Parent says the word of the child’s toy, movement, or gesture in the form a
statement and not a question
What does Labeling look like?
•Describing the actions in which a child is involved
•Naming the toys or materials the child is playing with
Why is Labeling important?
•When you label, you give children opportunities to hear how we talk, and
you teach the correct labels for the actions and objects a child sees or plays
with.
•When children hear more words, hear how words are used, and see how
people communicate their needs and wants, they will be more likely to use
gestures, vocalize, and use words to communicate their needs and wants.

Examples of Labeling:
Child- plays with basketball
Parent- says “ball”
Child- says “ba” or continues playing with basketball