Naming, commenting, copying, and imitating what your child says and does are great strategies to use throughout the day. With copy and add, we’re just adding on one word to what your child says! This strategy is also called expanding. Here’s how it works: copy whatever your child says or does and add one word to it. That's it! Here are some examples for how to use this communication strategy:
If your child says a word, repeat back what they said and add another word!
Example: Child “Water” Adult “Drink water/water cup/more water,” Child “Go” Adult “Go run/Go fast/Go car”
If your child says a word combination or short phrase, repeat it and add a missing word or a describing word!
Example: Child “Pop bubble” Adult “Pop the bubble, pop big bubble” Child “Dog eat” Adult “Dog is eating/dog eats food”
You can use this strategy with sounds, signs, gestures, and actions as well!
Example: Child says “Ma” Adult says “Mama/more/milk” Child signs more Adult signs more + “more/eat/ball” Child points Adult points + “open/bird/help” Child is moving a toy cow Adult can add in toy foods for the cow to eat
This copy and add strategy helps expand what your child says and does to show them how to add on and use more words and actions, both for communication and for play! It shows them how to make their phrases and sentences longer, how to use new words, and how to expand their play actions.
Adding more words to something your child says makes it more likely to be understood and used since you added it to words they already know and use. This also lets your child lead to make interactions engaging and natural since you’re adding to what they’re already saying and doing without taking over or taking the fun out of it.
Give this communication strategy a try at home today!
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