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What is social communication? Why is it important?
This information is used with permission from Language Express Preschool Speech and Language Program.
When we have a conversation there is a lot more to it than just saying words. We look each other in the eye, we take turns, we read facial expressions and body language, we pay attention to what our communication partner is paying attention to, and we stay on topic. We can read a lot from a person’s tone of voice as well.
When a child is having trouble learning about social communication, it is harder to learn language, to join in conversations, and to play with other children. Your Speech-Language Pathologist can work with you to help develop your child’s social communication skills.
How children interact is just as important as what they say and how clearly they speak. Social communication involves many different skills including how a child takes turns, uses gestures, plays and pays attention to others.
Social communication difficulties can be associated with other developmental concerns. We recommend that you talk to your healthcare provider if your child loses social or language skills, or if your child does not:
Smile at people when they smile at them
Respond consistently when you say their name
Pretend and play “make believe”
Show an interest in other children
Enjoy playing with you
Show, give, share, and try to get your attention
Ask for help when they need it
Greet familiar people
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW!
Some of the information below is used with permission from Language Express Preschool Speech and Language Program.
Children's social skills develop naturally through day-to-day interactions and play. It can take time and practice to learn the rules of interactions.
Here are activities that caregivers can start doing TODAY to help children develop their social skills. Keep in mind, you are your child's best toy!
EYE CONTACT:
Get down to your child’s eye level
Be face-to-face
Be silly and wait for them to ‘check’ on you by looking at you
Respond to your child when they look at you!
Note that eye contact can be difficult for some children. While we want to invite eye contact, we never want to force it.
TURN-TAKING:
Play simple games: build towers, roll a ball, jump off the bottom step, tickling
Take turns in various activities, such as blowing bubbles, choosing bedtime stories and turning pages
Play lots of turn taking games. Say “Johnny’s turn, mom’s turn…”
Practice sharing by taking turns with a toy
Play board games with older children
TURN-TAKING WITHOUT TOYS:
Sing songs or nursery rhymes. Hint: Leave out a word or two and wait for your child to fill it in!
Hiding games such as peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek
Movement games such as chase, blanket swings, and tickles
Clapping games such as "Pat-a-cake"
Note that a child's "turn" can look different! It might look like a smile, a laugh, a look, a gesture, or a sound.
SHARED ATTENTION:
Follow your child’s gaze and focus on the same thing. Talk about what you both see. Encourage your child to follow your gaze by pointing!
Follow your child's lead and join in their play
Copy your child's actions and see if they will notice
Go for a walk and point to, look at, and talk about the things you see, hear, touch, and smell
BODY LANGUAGE AND GESTURES:
Use gestures yourself. Model different gestures for your child, such as pointing, nodding, waving, shrugging, thumbs up, ‘all done’, etc. Use them in daily routines, activities, and songs
Pair your gesture with a word. This helps your child make a connection between the action and the word
If your child uses a gesture, translate it by saying the word that goes along with their action
LISTENING SKILLS:
Encourage your child to pause and listen, and then talk about the sounds you both hear
Turn off electronics (e.g., TV, iPad, phone, etc.) and talk and play with your child
Follow your child’s lead and focus your attention on what interests them
Play games that focus on the importance of listening, such as Simon Says or Telephone
Your Speech-Language Pathologist or Communicative Disorders Assistant may provide more individualized support.
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