Communication

Hi, my name is Tenielle and I am currently working as a Speech Pathologist with Anson Street School three days a week. This term I will be sharing some activity ideas about a different area of communication in each newsletter. This way you will have the opportunity to engage with your child and reinforce their learning at home. These ideas and activities are reflective of how your child's teacher adapts their communication approach when interacting with the students. In this newsletter, we will be looking at strategies to support your child when providing directions or instructions at home. 

Your child can practise listening and following directions in so many of their daily activities, such as:

• Getting up in the morning e.g. brush your teeth and comb your hair
• In the car e.g. get in the car and put your belt on
• Mealtimes e.g. put your cup, bowl and spoon in the sink
• Bath/shower e.g. shampoo your hair then wash your face
• Bedtime e.g. put on your pyjamas and brush your teeth

When giving directions to your child you may want to consider the following strategies to maximise their success, especially if they are having difficulties.

1. Look and Listen!  Make sure that your child is paying full attention before giving a direction. You can ensure this by facing your child, being at their eye level and speaking clearly and slowly.
2. Repeat!  If your child has difficulty, repeat the direction. If there is more than one step, try putting up one finger for each part of the direction e.g. “Turn on the tap (hold up one finger). Wash your hands (hold up a second finger)”.
3. Explain!  It may help to explain or demonstrate any part of the direction that you think your child did not understand e.g. Gesture towards the objects involved in the direction.
4. Simplify!  If your child is still having difficulty it may be useful to provide them with the important words in the direction to make it easier for them to follow e.g. “Turn on the tap. Wash your hands” could be simplified to “Tap on. Wash hands.”
5. Use visuals!  Some children need more information than just spoken words. You can use photos, pictures, signs, and natural gesture. This can be useful because the steps of the instruction are available for them to look at as many times as they need to while completing the task.
6. Encourage!  When your child attempts to follow your direction praise them for attempts as well as success. This will encourage them to continue trying.  

Tenielle Thwaites

Speech Pathologist