WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILD TO COPY WHEN LEARNING TO TALK?

Children usually say their first words around 12 – 13 months. Some children take longer to learn to talk. Parents ask 'How can I get my child to talk?' There are numerous reasons why some children take longer. 

Fiona finds some children have not mastered the idea of “copying”.

They haven’t realized they can copy a parent’s words in order to talk themselves. Our assessment of ‘late talkers’ includes: Copying actions with toys (such as pushing or stacking) and copying body actions (such as clapping)

- Copying mouth movements (such as poking out their tongue)

- Copying mouth sounds (such as blowing ‘raspberries’)

And finally, copying words (“Say……..”)

Fiona will play with your child and tell you the point at which your child does not understand copying. She will show you how to teach your child so when, for example, you say “Say ‘ball’”, your child is more likely to say “ball”!