Key words you can use while doing this activity:
- In
- Turn
- Help
- Again
- Push
- Colour names
- Shape names
What to do
- Empty the shapes onto the floor and wait.
- When your child picks a piece up, name the shape.
- Point to the shape sorter and say ‘… in (name shape)’.
- If your child is struggling to get the shape in say ‘turn’ and make a twisting gesture with your hand.
- You can also say ‘help?’ before holding the shape in the hole and saying ‘push’ and letting your child push the shape in.
- Wait for your child to pick another piece and repeat the game.
- Once all the shapes are in wait for your child to communicate (picking up the sorter, pointing, making a sound etc.)
- Say ‘again?’ then empty the shapes out saying ‘open’.
- Repeat the game several times. When you are ready to stop say ‘finished’ and put the shape sorter away.
Using these basic words gives your child a good model of how words can be used. It also helps them hear the most important words and lets them hear them over and over in the same way.
By waiting for your child to communicate, you are showing them how to take turns in conversations and encouraging them to have a go.
Remember to pause to give your child a chance to name the objects. If your child copies a word or attempts it themselves, reward them with a big smile, eye contact or ‘thumbs up’ to show them how pleased you are with them.
This activity is good for:
- Developing attention skills – by encouraging your child to complete the shape sorter in one go.
- Developing eye contact – your child will learn to look at your face as you talk and join in.
- Learning new words – by letting your child hear the same simple words over and over again and showing them how they can be used.
- Developing conversation skills – by waiting and giving them a chance to communicate, either by looking, pointing, making a sound or saying a word.
