PROMOTING INTERACTION

• Talking to baby as often as possible will help them to feel safe. They will be comforted by their parent’s voice.
• Responding to newborn cries will reward their communication and build connections in the brain.
• Babies will communicate more when they are face to face with an adult.
• Using a sing-song intonation, called ‘parentese’ will help babies tune in to their parent’s voice.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Singing -babies love the regular beat, rhythm and tune of music.
• Talking to baby during routine tasks such as changing and bathing helps them learn what is happening and stay calmer

ENVIRONMENT

Adults offering a quiet time each day to play and talk with baby, avoiding background noise where possible so babies find it easier to listen.

Health Visitors and Family Nurses play a key role in prevention and early identification of Speech, Language and Communication Needs. Below are some suggested ways of supporting families and signposting them to relevant support services.

• Consider any support a parent with Communication Support Needs may require. Parents with CSN may be less able to access additional supports and information that could assist with their child's development. Ensure you are aware of the parents communication preferences and respond appropriately.
• Promote positive interaction skills, role modelling these skills as appropriate.
• Parents with mental health issues, including postnatal depression and postnatal post traumatic stress, may need more support and encouragement to talk with their babies and use parentese – but trying this even a little can be a great help to them.  Be aware that postnatal mental health issues can affect both mothers and fathers.
• Where there are capacity issues for parents, consider other family members who might be able to help – grandparents, older siblings – and give them key messages
• Signposting: attending local bookbug sessions, infant massage or other community resources can support the attachment and communication process.
• Tips and advice on how to support language and social development for sharing or signposting with parents can be found on the bumps to bairns website.
• Play at home book provides lots of activities which promote communication.
• Play, talk, Read website contains many ideas and examples of positive interaction.
• Consider Motivational Interviewing/ Health Coaching Strategies: (For more information: Health Behaviour change e-learning suite)
• Using the Elicit-Provide-Elicit model of sharing information and checking understanding.
  • Elicit - what the parent/carer knows already
  • Provide - fill in any gaps or misconceptions
  • Elicit - Explore what fits with family life
• Using open-ended questions, active listening, reflecting back and summarising. (For more information on these techniques- see NES Motivational Interviewing resource)
• Using a collaborative communication style  - working in partnership with families,  empowering them to solve issues and make decisions