Providing Choices to Reduce Frustration
Children who have difficulty communicating with those around them often experience high levels of frustration when they are not understood, especially when they are not understood by those closest to them. As parents and caregivers, what can you do to help ease this frustration and create positive interactions around communication? Try providing two or more choices in any situation that is appropriate. Choice making can empower your child and give them a sense of independence while still allowing you to have some control over what the child chooses.
If your child has a small vocabulary and is not using very many words, you can start by giving them choices through the use of picture cards. By using picture cards, you eliminate the need for your child to use any words at all and can prompt them to choose by pointing. Although they are not using their voice, it is important to remember to use your voice to model the choices verbally. Listed below are common routines and situations in which choice making can be encouraged!
Snacks/Mealtime:
To provide choices at snack time or mealtime, either print out pictures of your child’s favorite/common snacks and meals or cut out the labels/pictures from their corresponding boxes or wrappers. You can also hold up the actual items if accessible. Once your child can manage between a choice of two, you can provide as many options as you would like or that you have on hand. Remember to always be modeling the options verbally (e.x. “Would you like grapes or oranges? You picked grapes! Yum! Let’s have some grapes!”).
Activities:
Print pictures, clipart or real pictures, of activities that your child often enjoys participating in (chalking, riding their bike, going to the park, going on a walk, coloring, etc.). Use these picture cards to prompt your child to choose by pointing to the desired activity! Again, remember to always be providing options verbally to the child along with the pictures. (e.x. “Would you like to play outside or color at the table? You picked play outside! Let’s go!”)
Toys/Books:
For toys and books, you can either print pictures of these items or use the real item itself. To prompt choice making with toys, store your toys in clear but closed containers. You can also store them where the child can easily see them but not reach them. This ensures that your child will need your help in accessing their toys. You can then use these situations of need to prompt your child to make a choice! With books, you can hold up two options and have them choose by pointing. Remember to always provide the choices verbally as well (e.x. “Would you like cars or animals? You picked cars! Vroom vroom!”).
Getting Dressed:
Lastly, when getting dressed you can hold up clothing options and allow your child to choose. Provide two shirts, two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, two pairs of underwear, etc. for your child to choose from. Again, remember to always provide these choices verbally as well (e.x. “Would you like a red shirt or blue shirt? You picked blue! I love this blue shirt!”).
Overall, choice making allows children independence and provides parents with ample opportunities to model verbal speech and language. So let’s get to choosing!
If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, ProActive is here to help your child THRIVE!