Ensuring Consistency: Collaborative Verbal Communication Instruction for Young Children Heather Coleman M.Ed. Early Childhood Special Education, Ph.D. Candidate

Who Am I??? Heather Coleman Pretty Cool Mom and Wife 🙃 Former Early Childhood Special Education Teacher Ph.D. Candidate with VCU Department of Counseling and Special Education Research Interests: Early Childhood, Professional Development, Autism, Family Empowerment, and Language Personal Interests: Family, Water Activities, Podcasts, and Binge Watching T.V. The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

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Presentation Overview Communication Development in Early Childhood Developmental Milestones Encouraging Verbal Communication Specific Communication Interventions Reaching out for help Ensuring Consistency and Collaborating! Family, Childcare providers, Infant/Preschool Special Education Educators, Speech Language Pathologists The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

Babies B to 6 months: 6 to 12: 18 months Coos, sound and face recognition Sounds start to make meaning: babbles, differing cries, and ‘happy sounds’ Responds to caregiver’s sounds and name “Ah,” “Eh,” “Oh,” “M,” “B” 6 to 12: “Understands” no 🤣 and responds to simple requests Gestures (waving, shaking head for ‘no’), Pointing Copying Sounds “Mama…” “Baba..” “Dada” “Uh-oh!” 18 months Meaningful pointing Single Words Says “no” The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

Toddlers 2 years 3 years Points to object when named Begins to name familiar people, body parts Repeats!!! (careful… 😜 ) 2 to 4 word phrases 3 years Follows 2-3 step directions 2 to 3 sentence speech Knows first name, age, sex; and friend’s names Says “I,” “Me,” “We,” and “You” Add plurals on some words (cats) Others can understand speech The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

Preschool 4 years 5 years Basic rules of grammar- “he” “she” Sings songs and tells stories Knows first/last name Names some colors and numbers Makes predictions (in a book) 5 years Everyone understands speech Future tenses, “I will eat mac and cheese for dinner.” Knows name and address The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

HELP!! My little guy/lady is not meeting that milestone! The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

What can I do to help encourage verbal communication? TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK Allow ‘wait time’ Expand on child’s communication Simple directions READ! Interactive reading The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

Requests Teaching the child how to ask for something that he/she wants Immediate rewards Prompting: Verbal Language: “What do you want?” “/F/” “Fish” “Goldfish” “I want goldfish.” Using sign language and verbal Check out: Teaching Requesting: https://vcuautismcenter.org/te/how_to/simpleVideo.cfm?video=8

Let’s Practice…

How can you use this in the natural environment?? Let’s Discuss… Meal time at home Play with brother on the playground Circle time at school Play in the housekeeping center

It’s NOT working….. Reach out for more help… Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia Making a Referral Early Childhood Special Education Locate the family’s local elementary school Ask for a child study meeting The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

Ensuring Consistency and Collaborating! Frequent and open communication with all members “Experts” and skills of all members “Avoiding turfism” Mutual Respect Family Partnerships and equal decision making Bridging “gaps” Blue-Banning, Summer, Frankland, and Beegle (2004) The presenter will share practical suggestions on how to encourage verbal communication for young children. The audience will practice how to implement a verbal communication intervention and discuss how to use this intervention in everyday activities, in the school, and at home. Further, the presenter will share suggestions on how to ensure consistency and encourage all members of the children’s life (teachers, SLPs, and parents) to implement the same instruction.

Commitment and Collaboration Understanding and sharing a sense of commitment Devotion to the child, family, and everyone’s needs Developing and understanding the importance of common goals Discussing expectations for the child’s progress Flexibility …….Leads to Consistency Blue-Banning, Summer, Frankland, and Beegle (2004)

Resources Learn the Signs, Act Early: Milestones Checklist and “What You Can do…” Infant and Toddler Connection of VA Child Indicators Booklet Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning Comprehensive Standards for 4-Year Olds Learn the Signs, Act Early: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/checklists/all_checklists.pdf Child Indicators: http://www.infantva.org/documents/Child%20Indicators%20Booklet%20Final%20-February%2022%202013.pdf Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/early_childhood/preschool_initiative/foundationblocks.pdf

Thank You! Heather Coleman fleminghm@vcu.edu Presentation located on Heather’ website: https://colemanhm.wordpress.com/