Studies show that back-and-forth interactions between an adult and a child actually change a child’s brain and lead to better language outcomes. In this video, The Hanen Centre’s Executive Director, Elaine Weitzman, talks about what the research says about the power of high-quality interactions, and describes the critical ingredients that make these interactions possible. In Part 2 of this video, we show you the difference Hanen strategies can make to help your interactions with young children blossom into beautiful conversations – where the best language learning takes place!

The best interactions with children happen during conversations that naturally continue when you follow the child’s lead. To follow the child’s lead, make a comment or ask a question related to what they have communicated. Then pause to give them a chance to respond. Keep this going back and forth! Here are some fun ways to keep conversations going and build language with young children.

Follow the child’s lead means letting children start the conversation and then responding with interest to what they have said or communicated. When you wait (without speaking) to give children an opportunity to start a conversation, they may communicate with sounds, gestures or words. Child-led conversations motivate children to communicate, support their language development, and are associated with later academic success. Here are some fun things to try throughout the day.

The best way to build a child’s language is to have conversations whenever you’re together. Children who have more conversations with adults develop better language skills and are more successful at school. Here are some fun ideas for you to try.