SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION

GIVING CHILDREN THE BEST POSSIBLE START IN LIFE

NHS EDUCATION FOR SCOTLAND

PLAY & INTERACTION DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

Social Interaction is key to the development of all speech, language and communication skills. By interacting with others, children learn that good conversations involve more than one person and can be fun!

Good interaction skills involve things like eye contact, taking turns, sharing enjoyment and having an interest in what someone else is saying or doing.

Play allows children to learn about the world around them. Children need to have a variety of experiences to help them explore their world and practise skills which are important for learning, such as sharing and taking turns.

1

YEARS

  • Interested in people and responds to them using facial expressions such as smiling or laughing
  • Will use pointing and will bring objects to show others
  • Enjoys social games such as peekaboo
  • Acts out simple play routines, e.g. ‘feeding’ toys, putting dolly to bed
  • Showing interest in other children
  • Sharing own enjoyment with others
  • Joining sequences together e.g. Making the tea and washing the dishes

2

YEARS

3-4

YEARS

  • Likes to play with other children
  • Enjoys pretend and imaginative play
  • Beginning to learn about how to communicate in different ways in different places e.g. speaking differently with friends and with teachers
  • Enjoys pretending to be another person and will act ‘in character’

4-5

YEARS

DOWNLOAD IN PDF FORMAT

NHS Education for Scotland

102 Westport

Edinburgh

EH3 9DN

www.nes.scot.nhs.uk

OTHER LINKS

  • NES website
  • The Portal

©  NHS Education for Scotland 2018. You can copy or reproduce the information in this document for use within NHSScotland and for non-commercial educational purposes.  Use of this document for commercial purposes is permitted only with the written permission of NES.

PLAY & INTERACTION DEVELOPMENT GUIDE

Social Interaction is key to the development of all speech, language and communication skills. By interacting with others, children learn that good conversations involve more than one person and can be fun!

Good interaction skills involve things like eye contact, taking turns, sharing enjoyment and having an interest in what someone else is saying or doing.

Play allows children to learn about the world around them. Children need to have a variety of experiences to help them explore their world and practise skills which are important for learning, such as sharing and taking turns.