Let’s get Word Gardening with Tip #2.

The Word Gardener series brings together 12 evidence-based “Word Gardening Tips” that provide a fertile environment for:

• helping first words emerge

• helping early words grow into sentences
• helping vocabularies blossom
• and don’t forget – to start using all your Word Gardening Tips together!

Learn all 12 tips – share them far and wide – for optimal word growth.

Communication Temptations

Helping words grow by creating a reason to communicate

What are Communication Temptations?

Communication temptations are everyday moments where an adult sets something up so a child needs to communicate. Or really wants to communicate!

You’re not waiting for words to magically sprout – you are planting the seed and waiting!

To do this, you have to think about something very important –

What motivates my child the most? What is the hook that will really get them busting to communicate?

If it’s something that’s not very motivating, they might simply give up.

A temptation creates:

• interest
• motivation
• a clear reason to communicate

The child might use:

• a look
• a gesture
• a sound
• a word

All of these count.

Why this Helps Words to Grow

Children are more likely to communicate when:

• they want something but can’t get it or do themselves

Temptations turn passive play into interactive communication.

Instead of asking questions or giving instructions, you’re inviting the child to initiate.

IMPORTANT: DON’T RUSH IN

As adults, we are excellent problem-solvers.

We:

• open things quickly
• fix problems immediately
• anticipate needs

But when we do this, we remove a child’s need to communicate.

Slow down. Pause. Be present and wait.

Give your child time to:

• notice
• react
• attempt communication

Then observe carefully – and respond by maybe Being the Voice (Tip 1) or offering Choice Questions (Tip 4).

You Can Work Temptations into Everyday Play or Routines

You put a favourite toy in a clear container with the lid screwed on tightly. You wait.

You blow bubbles, then suddenly stop and hold the wand.You wait.

You give your child a snack — but not the whole packet. You put the rest out of reach – but visible.You wait.

You wind up a toy car and when it stops, your child wants another turn. They can’t operate the winder themselves. You wait.

You place your hand on the tap but don’t turn it. Your child loves the water. You wait.

And what are you waiting for?

A response.

It might be a sound, an attempt of a word. A look. A gesture.

Only THEN, should you talk. Only THEN should you provide the target word – or words. Be the child’s voice!

• “Help”
• “More bubbles”
• “Open.”
• “Turn it on”

REMEMBER…

Communication temptations:

• do not mean withholding needs
• do not mean frustrating a child
• do not involved putting pressure on a child to say something
• do involve thinking about what will be REALLY motivating for your child
• do mean creating meaningful opportunities
• do require you to be present

Homework

If a child has no reason to use words, you need to help set up a reason. No forcing words. Just giving a reason for them to sprout.

It’s about providing the time and opportunity…

Write 5 things that your child loves a lot that are present in your everyday routine.
Think how you might set up 5 communication temptations around these. Tempt every day.
In a fortnight, have any words grown?

Happy Word Gardening!

Download the Tipsheet.