The Power of Waiting: A Passive Technique for Active Communication
There are many strategies to elicit language from your child during play. However, the one that may be the most effective is one that requires minimal work: waiting. While it may seem like doing nothing, the power of waiting in speech therapy is deeply rooted in building patience, creating space for processing and completing routines.
Why Waiting Works
- Creates Space for Processing: Children are developing both their receptive and expressive language skills. Providing wait time allows children to process your verbal model receptively and imitate that model expressively. Moving on too quickly does not give your child time to engage with the communication partner.
- Cognitive Efficiency: Children learn through repetitive routines which become ingrained in our neural pathways, reducing the cognitive energy spent on processing that information. We love to finish routines because our brain can easily complete that established pattern. Waiting during the middle of the routine creates the opportunity for the child to rely on these neural pathways and fill in the missing piece. For example, if you say “ready, set” and pause… our brain wants to say “go”. By waiting, you just gave your child the opportunity to say “go”.
- Improves Attention and Focus: For some individuals, waiting can help them focus more on the task at hand. A child can then see your visual model (e.g., gesture or picture symbol) and process that information. Waiting often encourages a child to look at the communication partner before providing verbal or visual information.
Ways to Wait
- After a Verbal Model: Instead of jumping in with immediate prompts or models, allow a few moments of silence after modeling a word. For example, model “ball” holding the ball up to your face and wait three seconds to see if your child imitates “ball”. If not, that’s okay! Simply, model “ball” again and then hand your child the ball.
- Initiation or Engagement: Allowing children space to initiate or join in play will reduce pressure on engagement, increasing trust and confidence. Instead of requesting your child to play with you or a certain toy, start playing and talk about what you are doing and wait for them to engage.
- During a Routine: As previously mentioned, establishing routines creates a foundation for language. Routines create a space for consistent modeling and repetitive language. Try waiting during a play or language routine. For example, model how to play with the toy (e.g., stacking blocks) then wait before the task is completed (e.g., leave two blocks not stacked) to allow space for your child to finish the routine.
Waiting is more than just a passive activity. It is an active technique that allows individuals to build confidence, process information, and use language. By embracing moments of silence, both kids and caregivers can have space for meaningful communication, making the waiting period just as valuable.
So, the next time you’re playing with your child, try waiting!
Photo by: Matthew Henry from Burst