In this handout, Encompass Occupational Therapist Kavita Sleight, OTR/L, explains sensory processing, gives examples of common challenges that can indicate issues with sensory processing, and provides strategies and tools for dealing with different types of sensory processing challenges.
This skill involves taking words your child uses, and adding to them so that your child is hearing more complex language. It also helps your child feel understood because you are acknowledging what they said with the words they used.
OBSERVE: Watch your child and notice what has their interest. WAIT: Wait 5-10 seconds for your child to process what they are observing. They may start talking when you wait. LISTEN: If your child talks, you can restate what they shared and affirm what they notice going on around them.
Even before your child can talk, they are learning to listen and learning about the world around them. When you use simple language to describe daily activities, it will help your child make sense of their world. Eventually, they will learn to tell you about what’s happening around them.
Children often practice new words until they get the hang of them. Although not clearly articulated, the parent is restating the attempted word (splat) for the child in order to encourage her to keep practicing the word. This also teaches your child how to comment on what they are doing.
Take turns reading and interpreting the story together. This may simply mean letting your child notice things in the book, or having the parent take the lead reading the story, pausing to ask the child what they see or provide an idea.
