Communication is crucial to everything we do. New Zealand has three official languages, English, Maori and NZ Sign Language, but there are many other languages spoken in various ethnic groups. Visual arts, music and body language and gesture are also methods of communication.

Reading books is very important during the school years. Go to www.storylines.org.nz for titles of suitable books and ideas for discovering and sharing the joys of reading.

A booklet produced by Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand gives 10 reasons to read to your child.

They include:

• to grow their vocabulary, so they can communicate with you and others
• to continue age-old storytelling traditions
• to open doors to knowledge, as well as to fantasy
• to set them on the road to becoming a life-long reader
• just because it’s fun!

• Communication a real-life thing. We learn it in everyday situations
• Life is busy, so thinking of ways we can get things done within our everyday routines is important
• Communication is a two-way street – we need to know how to promote it and what to do when it breaks down.

Always remember the basics:

• Watch
  • Be at the level of the person you are communicating with. This may involve crouching down.
  • Observe what they are doing. This will let you know what they like and don’t like.
  • Observe how they are communicating. Write down these observations to help others communicate with your children more effectively. (See Passports )
    

• Wait
Give time for the child to say what they want to say or to communicate non-verbally with you.
This may mean counting to three in your head before you say anything.  Allow time for a response.


• Listen
  • Don’t fill in silent spaces.
  • If you don’t expect a response, you won’t get one.
  • Show children that you want them to respond by the look on your face and your body language.
  • Listening helps your child to feel recognised and special.
    

• Other things to remember

• Talk about whatever you are doing as you go about your daily routines, when something unusual happens or when something goes wrong. This may take some practice.
• Keep sentences short and pause often. This will allow you to watch, wait and listen. Using shorter sentences also helps understanding.
• Try not to talk too quickly
•  Don’t ask too many questions. This will help children develop well-rounded communication skills. It will also give them the chance to initiate communication. A good rule of thumb is to ask one question for very five things you say.
• Routine and repetition are useful tools. Routines are effective in developing communication because they are familiar, frequent and motivating.
• Choices. Offering a choice is a way of giving your child structure to help them communicate.
• Gesture. Using gestures (and keyword signs) can help understanding and expression as they add concrete, visual information to what you are saying.
• Use things around you to promote communication. They add information and help to emphasise key ideas. Try real objects, family photos, packaging, junk mail. Fancy visuals might be useful, but not essential.