Language Development: Increasing Word Counts & Conversational Turns
Posted by Mia Moe on Mon, Mar 01, 2010 @ 10:02 AM
Joanne Baum, Ph.D. authored the IPPY Gold Medal Award winning parenting book, Got the Baby Where's the Manual?!? Respectful Parenting from Birth Through the Terrific Twos. She's been a therapist, parent coach, trainer, and educator for over 30 years. Her private practice is based in Evergreen, CO. Visit the Respectful Parenting website.
Q:
How can I engage with my twins more and increase my word counts? There doesn't seem to be enough energy or hours in a day!
A:
Twins certainly have their own set of challenges. How do you give two children simultaneous, individual interactions? Perhaps the sum of three individuals can add up to more than 1 plus 1 plus 1.
But in order for that to happen I think you need an activity that all three of you can focus on. That way you can interact with each child, reinforcing their unique interaction with the activity or environment you're experiencing at the time. Using an activity like reading or a "nature walk" to stimulate the interactions can help tremendously.
I can remember wanting to go on a walk with my son when he was a toddler and even up to about five years old. In my mind a walk is close to a hike - a fast clip, nice views (if possible), and a good distance. With a young child I had to modify my own expectations. If we accomplished a block or two at best we were lucky. But we made that block a rich experience. We could talk about everything we saw along the way - from cigarette butts to blossoms, snowflakes, sticks, gum wrappers, new grass, pretty leaves, or flowers. When you get to your child's level, slow down your adult expectations, watch in awe of how each of your children's minds are working, and then talk to each child's separate experience and get them interacting with each other as well. The trick is being in awe of each child. Really watch those gears turn and be in awe of what they find along the path or what they want to focus on or comment on. Watch an army of ants crawling and carrying things. Marvel with your child.
Awe leads you into marveling like a child, and that in turn leads you into a complex and respectful discussion. Then 1 + 1 + 1 will equal lots of Conversational Turns and interactions.