Comments on: EI Research to Practice Brief #2: Linking Parents’ Verbal Behaviors with Children’s Communication Development

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 14:46:06 +0000

I love how you describe this as changing from a power struggle to a conversation, Jean! I think it can feel like that for interventionists too!

By: Jean Buffardi

Jean Buffardi — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 00:15:02 +0000

This summary of research is very useful to read. It contributes to growing evidence-based research with a variety of language delayed children by the Hanen Foundation, Ann Kaiser and her colleagues, James MacDonald, and others. I have personally found it very consistent with the research about the interactions with typically developing children and their parents as well. In my own experience, it is the most effective in natural environments in family routines, the model for early intervention. It changes a power struggle of “say this” to conversations about whatever is happening that enriches everyone’s lives. It supports parents noticing what their children can do and enjoy doing and build on that in natural exchanges. It no longer becomes a lesson but a communication that can happen at any time throughout the day.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 19:08:10 +0000

I think this would be a great article to bring to a visit with you. I often discuss following interests and using language that are about observations, rather than demands, but this is easier said than done. When parents are in the habit of directing their child’s play and asking questions, expecting an answer, it can be a difficult habit to break. This blog may be good to refer back to and to provide parents with specific examples and evidence supporting this. Parents may be more open to allowing those perseverative play activities, knowing the way they use language during it can benefit their child’s development. Great read!

By: Emilie Mulholland

Emilie Mulholland — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 18:38:22 +0000

This post really is in tune with what we discussed at a team meeting this past week. A team member brought up concerns about how to get parent and child involved within an activity and encourage language development. The entire team all chimed in asking what the child’s interest was (spinning wheels), and then everyone encouraged using that activity to facilitate the child’s learning, even if it’s not something the parents want to do all day long. This is a great post to share with the team member asking for support, and reading this helps me feel that our team is really trying to head towards a more family supported and child interest focus early intervention.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:36:49 +0000

In reply to Syndy.

Yes, Syndy, EI really is all about the parent-child interaction. When that’s going well and the parent understands what following the child’s lead really means (which seems simple but is often misunderstood), development moves along. How do you explain/demonstrate what following the child’s lead really looks like? I’d love to hear what words you use.

By: Syndy

Syndy — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:28:30 +0000

Great article to read. Following the child’s lead in what they like to do helps encourage development rather than pushing them to do/say something. This is something I like to focus on with parents more in the future and plan to observe how the family interacts which their child. This is a great opportunity then to coach them into new ways of interacting with their child.

By: Dana Childress, M.Ed.

Dana Childress, M.Ed. — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:46:18 +0000

In reply to Susan Connor.

Thanks Susan! This is one of my favorite research articles because the results are so powerful for our work! Since I know you work in professional development, like me, I’m wondering how you might be able to use this kind of brief in your work?

By: Susan Connor

Susan Connor — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:28:13 +0000

What a great post! The research results are so interesting and really very much in line with evidence suggesting that we should be interacting with all children and families around their priorities, interests and routines.
Thanks!