Stretch talk Activity
Modelling language to babies is a crucial role for whānau. As pēpi attempts words, repeat the word back to them, affirming the attempt. Using the word in context supports language acquisition and encourages baby to join words together in small sentences.
Why do it?
- Hearing a new word together with a word baby already knows strengthens baby’s expressive language.
- Repeating baby’s word is a good way to show them that they’ve been understood.
- Whānau can use this technique in the context of other games and activities with baby.
How to do it
- When baby begins to use words, repeat them back using the correct version (but without correcting baby), and then add another word.
- When baby begins to use 2 words, give baby back 3, and so on.
- For example, if baby points to a person in a photo, say the person’s name, and add a word or phrase, like this: ‘Daddy. Daddy’s at rugby’.
- Use this technique of adding another word to a known word, whatever game or activity you’re enjoying with baby.
- Try not to ‘correct’ baby by saying things like ‘No, that’s not yours that’s Jacob’s shoe’. Instead encourage their attempts with, ‘Yes that looks like your shoe doesn’t it’.
Using more te reo Māori
| Te reo Māori | English |
|---|---|
| He aha tō kōrero? | What did you say? |
| Kēmu | Game |
| Kōrero | Talk, communicate |
| Kupu hou | New word |
| Pātai | Question |
| Whakapakari | Strengthening, developing |
| Whakamāramahia | To explain, clarify |
| Anō | Do it again |
| Mōhio | To know, understand |
| Kōrero anō | Say it again |
| Mita | Pronunciation and sound of a language |
| Rerenga kōrero | Sentence, phrase |
| Whakarongo | Listen |
| Oko | To hear |
| Kei te kite ahau he... | I see a... |
| Kei te rongo ahau he... | I hear a... |
| Whakarongo mai, e te tau | Listen hear, my darling |
| Whakahauhau | Encouragement, urging |
| Umere(tia) | Applaud, cheer |
| Ka pai koe | Well done you |
| Kātahi te pēpi mōhio, ko koe | What a clever baby you are |
