Don't forget to use your visual 'tools' for talking, particularly with babies and younger children. Use your eyes and eye contact, facial gestures, your arms and hands and other body movements.
Don't be afraid of leaving long pauses and gaps when you talk with children. They need much more time to think about what they are going to say or do, and all too often we jump in before they have had time to draw breath. Get into the habit of pausing and allowing a moment of silence, giving the children the time to formulate their own responses and replies.
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