RL.B.13 RESPONDS TO SIMPLE REQUESTS WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY GESTURES

You can teach your child the meanings of many words by pairing them with gestures. When you hold out your hand, saying ‘Give it to me’, you are preparing your child to respond to the words alone, later on. The same applies when you wave your hand while saying ‘Wave bye-bye’, or when you hold out your arms saying ‘Give me a cuddle’.

How to Assess

Method:While your child is playing with an object, call her attention to you, hold out your hand and say ‘Give it to me’. Or substitute another request and gesture, such as one of those described above.

Score plus if your child carries out your request on at least one occasion.

How to Teach

Choose a few simple requests that you would like your child to follow. We suggest that you include giving, waving and clapping hands.

Make your request, accompanied by a gesture, several times each day. Give physical help if necessary, phasing it out as your child begins to respond to the word and gesture without help.