Adult-Child Interaction Techniques

Interactions between children and adults are the primary mechanism of child development

and learning

ChildInteraction

AdultInteraction

Child Development and Learning

How providers interact with children has a direct impact on providing a predictable, consistent and safe

environment for children

Provider Interactions

Safe

Predictable

Consistent

High Quality Instruction

High Quality

Instruction

High order thinking

Feedback that expands learning

and understanding

Frequent use of language and

language stimulation techniques

Adult-Child Interaction Tools

• CLASS

• ECERS-R

• FCCERS-R

Indirect Language Stimulation Techniques

Children learn language by hearing it and through conversations

Adults interact & set up environment to give children reason to talk

Conversations help children learn many language skills

Children learn skills that will help them read

Indirect Language Stimulation Techniques

Indirect Language Stimulation

• Requires no child response

• Uses child initiated play and activities

• Follows child’s lead

• Extends child’s play

• Increases exposure to new vocabulary and ideas

Information Talk

Information Talk

Parallel talk

Self talk

DescriptionComments

Open-ended

questions

Indirect Language StimulationRole Play

Activity

Indirect Responses

Indirect Responses

Provider adds words

or uses correctly

Expansion ExtensionRepetition

Indirect Responses Activity Activity

Direct Interactions

Direct Interactions

Directives

Praise Encouragement

Corrective Feedback

DirectivesInstructions

Directions

Suggestions

Prompts

Directives

Directives

• Response expected

• Check on child learning

• Examples

• Closed-ended questions Have right or wrong answers or expected response Examples

Guidelines for Delivering Directives

Have child’s attention

Use clear specific

language

State directive positively

Avoid simply labeling

Use questions for choices

Deliver initial directive once

Praise and Encouragement

• Positive comments help build supportive relationships

• Are positive reinforcing statements Encourage children Acknowledge positive actions, interactions,

behavior

Guidelines for Effective Praise and Encouragement

Offer specific feedback

Initiate the praise

Focus on improvement

and effort

Use sincere, direct

comments

Avoid competition and

comparison

Help children develop appreciation

for own behavior

Corrective Feedback

Used when the child fails to

respond or responds

incorrectly

Not intende

d as punisher

Correction Process

Feedback Redirect Assist Confirm

Directives ActivityActivity

Other Adult-Child Interaction Techniques

• Interact at child’s level

• Use respectful and positive communication

• Adjust verbal interactions

• Focus children’s attention Advance organizers Summaries Reorientation statements

Other Adult-Child Interaction Techniques (continued)

• Set up situations and activities related to comparison and classification and problem solving

• Use a variety of modalities• Link concepts and activities to previous

learning• Relate concepts to children’s lives

Adult-Child InteractionSelf-Assessment

Activity

Indirect Language Stimulation DVDActivity

Language Techniques

Indirect language stimulation techniques

Directives

Praise and encouragement

Corrective feedback