TKI - Listening and talking

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Heading - how can we help our children to become better listeners and talkers?


	Time spent talking with your child and listening to what they have to say will help build their confidence and their reading and writing skills. Listening, talking, reading, and writing are all connected.

sub heading - how can I encourage my baby to talk and listen?

Talk, talk, talk to your baby any time, anywhere.
Respond to your baby's actions and sounds.
Read and sing to your baby.

sub heading - remember: learning at this age often happens through play.


	Help them to join in family discussions. Encourage them to listen to others. Listen and respond when your child talks to you. Give them information about things they're interested in – don't always ask them questions. When you do ask your child questions, give them time to answer you. Encourage them to act out stories. Start a dress-up box with scarves, hats, and clothes. You can be the audience for your child's acting.

	If your family's first language is not English, talk with your child in the language your family knows best. This will make it easier for them to learn English outside of the home.

Anything! Everything!

When your child is playing, talk aloud about what they're doing – for example, "You've built a tower with five blocks, and now it's fallen down..."
Make up stories and tell them to your child. Let them add to the story or tell you one.
Sing songs. Teach them songs, chants, karakia, and poems. Encourage your child to choose and play their favourite tapes in the car or at home.
Watch your child's favourite TV programme with them and talk about it together afterwards.
Encourage the older children to talk with the younger ones.
Show them a photo album. Share stories and special memories about the photos.

If you want to know more about helping your child to
become a better talker and listener, ask the staff at
your local early childhood centre. They will be glad to help.

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