It Takes Two to Talk — The Hanen Program

For the past 2 months, my saturday morning was spent at KKH for "It Takes Two to Talk — The Hanen Program" for Parents of Children with Language Delays. In a small, personalized group setting, and together with 8 helpful parents to learn about practical strategies to help our children learn language naturally throughout their day together.

From this program, i learnt alot more than just strategies (ie: OWL, SPARK, 4S etc) that taught by the therapist, also i learnt from the parents on parenting tips on their special needs child and the never says dies attitude. By seeing them, i've been encouraged to do more with Janelle. Indeed, they are the greatest parents i have met. Thank You guys very much for all the tips.. please do keep in contact.. cheers

Here's some of the strategies i have learnt>
Observe - what Janelle us interested in? what Janelle is telling me?
Wait - To give Janelle time to start interaction with me, to give janelle time to response
Listen - to let Janelle know her message is important.
and WAIT was something i'm not doing well.. I have understand that each children response time is different, and janelle needs slightly more time then normal kids.. Hence, now i will wait a little longer for janelle response. For example: just before i carry her, i will tell her "mama carry UP"... and will count 1..2..3... and wait for janelle to says "UP". at times she did it before i count 1..2..3.. of cos sometime i didnt get response from her.. But i will not give up, i believe she can..

Special needs child benefit more on routines, hence SPARK need to introduced into all the games or daily life activities:
Start the game the same each time
Plan for her to take turn
Adjust when she is familiar to the game; for her to lead
Repeat and Repeat and Repeat
Keep the ending the same each time
and yes, this strategies worked for Janelle.. However, at this point of time, she can do 2 rounds of the same game before she run away. the benefit is for her to engaged to the game for a longer period of time, interacting, and able to initial the same if she likes. Mommy is trying very hard to extend the game time with her. I have been doing this many months without noticing it... each time i will have the same actions and used the same words to her for wear and take off shoes. Now she see me sitting down on the floor near the door with her shoe, she will automatically come near me and sit on my lap, i will help her to wear/take off the shoes and let her do the strip.. and she is doing well. :)

I think the challenge i have with Janelle is that one adult is avaliable each time... some activities it needs 2 adults - 1 to hand over hand and 1 to do the intraction. i think i need to think of some ways.. maybe getting a mirror to put infront of us when playing with her...