Engaging Children in Conversations
Announcer: Welcome to this short in-service on engaging children in conversations. In this presentation, you'll learn how to get started in conversations with young children and how important these conversations can be to their development and learning.
During the early childhood years, children are gaining vocabulary and exploring verbal and nonverbal language and various ways of communicating. Conversations with adults and peers can help. Conversations also foster children's cognitive development. Through the exchange of information and ideas, children learn and share their curiosities and questions about new concepts, communicating their discoveries about the world around them. Conversations enhance children's social development. Conversations are social interactions and involve back-and-forth exchanges, listening and responding.
This presentation provides guidance for getting started on engaging children in conversations and strategies to keep the conversations going. Here are a few hints for setting the stage and getting started in a conversation with a child. Notice signs that the child is ready to engage in conversation. If possible, get on the child's level. Share the child's attention by noticing what they're noticing. Match your tone to the child's affect. If the child is happy and excited, show your pleasure. If the child is worried and serious, show your concern. Here are a few tips for starting the conversation. Make a comment about what the child is interested in or is doing.
Be aware of and respond to children's verbal and nonverbal language. Ask a question. Then pause and give the child time to respond. It's important to remember that responses can include vocalizations, facial expressions, gestures, and body movements. Give children chances to practice and engage in turn-taking within back-and-forth exchanges by pausing, waiting, and listening. Here are a few more suggestions to keep the conversation engaging. Respond to the child by adding a little more information and expanding on the child's ideas. You can also repeat and clarify their ideas. Pause and wait for the child to respond to this invitation and opportunity for extension.
Engaging in conversations helps build relationships with child and supports their developing sense of self. Following a child's lead during activities and conversations validates and supports them in building on their ideas. Partner with families to learn about and individualize expectations for each child's communication style. Connect with families to learn about their interests. Bring the activities, stories, songs, and games that they use in their home into the learning environment. Learn and use simple phrases in the child's home language to support their learning and engagement in conversations. Enjoy engaging in conversations with the children you care for.
Children express themselves in many ways, including engaging in conversations. Our role is an important one. We invite and support children to show and tell us what they are curious about and how they understand the world around them. Thank you for listening. Check out our tips for educators and other resources to support engaging children in conversations. See our other in-service suites to learn about language modeling and conversations.
Watch this video to learn practices to engage children in conversations. Which practice will you try in your learning environment?
