1. CELEBRATE when they look at us, when they initiate games (asking something from the shelf or asking for a horse ride), and when they talk. Megan told me one thing is to respond quickly to their language, which is great because they see that talking works, but in addition to responding quickly we need to continue encouraging them and congratulating them for all the effort they are doing in looking at us, telling us what they want to play, and talking to us.
2. SELL OUR GAMES TO THEM AND WEAVE OUR GAMES INTO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. When I played with Duchis, Megan told me that I could have mixed my game (the twister mat with signs) with Duchis' game (the parachute) instead of waiting to finish the parachute game to show her again the twister game. I realized that we have been only proposing our games a few times per session, but Megan wants us to take advantage of any opportunity the kids are connected to us to looking at us to again MERGE our game with their game.
3. SHOW DUCHIS HOW CONVERSATIONS WORK. Megan suggested that we work a lot with puppets, figurines, and stuff animals showing Duchis how conversations work. We agreed to use different themes with the puppets/figurines (e.g., beach, bday party, circle time, zoo, park, etc), but that in all our scenarios we would introduce the sentences that Duchis needs to learn to use more frequently: GIVE ME ..., FIND ME ...., WHERE IS ....?, BRING ME ....., SHOW ME ..., LET'S .... We will not ask Duchis to do anything directly and we will not ask her questions, but the puppets can say things like: "let's play with cards", "ok, that is great", "take a card" ... So, this is an indirect request, and if Duchis wants, she could take a card or wait and see what teh puppets do.
4. PHYSICAL GAMES FOR LIAM WITH A ROLE IN THE GAME. With Liam we will play lots of physical games since he likes them so much. Things like obstacle curses and games with blankes and pillows. We need to give him a role, which does not imply him talking. Thinks like: push the ON botton and I will do it again. He does not need to talk, but he should have a role in the game, like pushing something or choosing a card, or something like that.
5. START SESSIONS WITH LIAM BY PROPOSING HIM A GAME. Upon entering the room, use your energy and excitement to swoop him into playing. Assume that he is going to interact and do not directly go into joining him. Don't assume that he does not like to play with you. Sell your game with all your heart at every green light you get and mix it with whatever his interests are at the moment.
Ok, I have to go to sleep. More information to come, but lots of it is in Megan's notes.
And now, look at these beautiful pictures. Awwww, the love! Thanks for coming to our house, Megan, and being part of our team!
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