Advisory Teaching Service

BASES

Pre-verbal skills
Advisory Teaching Service
Cheltenham

Battledown Centre, Harp Hill,

Cheltenham, Glos. GL52 6PZ

 01242 525456  01242 239309

cheltenham.ats@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Information and advice for
parents and carers
Forest of Dean

Advisory Teaching Service

Dockham Road, Cinderford
Glos. GL14 2DB

 01594 823102  01594 826186

forest.ats@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Advisory Teaching Service

Gloucester

Matson Lane, Matson

Gloucester. GL4 6DX

 01452 426955  01452 426842

gloucester.ats@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Advisory Teaching Service

Bownham Park Centre, Rodborough Common,
Stroud

Stroud, Glos. GL5 5DA

 01453 872430  01453 878534

stroud.ats@gloucestershire.gov.uk

We can produce this document in Braille, large print, on audio tape and in
other languages. If you would like a copy in one of these formats,
please call 01452 426955. Advisory Teaching Service
Team for Hearing Impairment
Revised September 2011
 PRE
PRE--VERBAL SKILLS WAYS TO IMPROVE PRE
PRE--VERBAL SKILLS

 practise making facial expressions more interesting

Eye contact is an important social skill. It also  exaggerate emotions – make funny faces
Eye Contact

Eye Contact
provides information about language through:  hold objects near to the face
 wait for a few seconds to gain eye contact before giving a toy
 facial expression or a drink
 gestures  look together at things in the environment -
 lip patterns follow the child’s gaze and comment
 signs  encouraging eye contact should be natural –
let the child look when they want to

 remove distractions
Attention

Attention
A good attention span will help a child to understand language  choose toys or materials your child is interested in
more easily.  add surprise elements – hide things or wrap them up
 encourage eye contact – give time to respond
Improving concentration will be helpful in all areas of learning.  follow your child’s lead – play alongside and comment on
what is happening
Breath Control

Breath Control
 help your child to become aware of breath
by feeling or seeing it
Good breath control is important for the production of speech.
 blowing games
 blow on hair, skin, steam on mirrors, glass

Copying involves co-operation and interaction, which is neces-  join in with and copy your child’s play
Copying

Copying
sary for communication.  copy noises, gestures and facial expressions and extend
Copying helps to improve observation and imitation skills needed them to make them meaningful
for learning speech or signs.  encourage your child to copy everyday routines
Turn Taking

Turn Taking

Listening, watching, waiting and taking turns

are needed for communication.  encourage sharing, waiting – use visual timers
Turn taking is needed for conversations to  give lots of praise and encouragement
take place.