More?

 Aim of the game:

This is a great way of giving your child a reason to communicate in a fun and nurturing way. The easiest way to encourage your child to request ‘more’ is to be the ‘the keeper of pieces’ in a fun or exciting game. Motivation is fundamental to communication and this fun game inspires children to request and communicate.

 What you will need:

This game can be played with any number of toys but it is best when there are many parts to the game. This way you can put the pieces or parts in a bag or box and give them to your child one at a time encouraging them to request ‘more’. We’ve given you some of our favourites below but feel free to use your own ideas and imagination.

A bag or box to put any of the following toys in:

 A click clack track or ball run

 Building blocks or stacking rings

  Noise makers or musical instruments

 Inset puzzle or shape sorter

 How to play:

• Choose your set of toys that you wish to play with, we’ll use stacking rings in this example.
• Place the rings in a bag with the stand in front of your baby and sit opposite them so you are face to face.
• Introduce the bag to your baby (you could sing the ‘what’s in the bag?’ song if you wish), let them take one of the stacking rings out of the bag and put it on the stand.
• Rattle the bag to get regain their attention and ask your baby “more?”
• Wait and watch for your child to request ‘more’ with a wriggle, look, gesture, reach or a noise. As your child approaches their first birthday they may have a go at saying ‘more’!
• Reward any attempt at communication by giving them a stacking ring
• Repeat until the bag is empty and the stacking tower is complete.

 How to extend:

• This can be done at snack and meal times too by just giving a little of something they like to eat. The best snacks for this are things like raisins, satsumas, slices of banana or apple. For example, have the pieces in a bowl and offer your child one piece by saying “banana” as you put it on their plate. Wait for them to finish eating and look at you again (you may need to waggle the bowl around a little to remind them you have more). Once you’ve got their attention offer “more?”, reward their attempt at communication by putting another piece of banana on their plate. 
• When your child is a little older you can offer the choice of two different snack items to see if they can combine two words together to request ‘more apple’ or ‘more banana’.
• You can also do this game without any toys whatsoever by turning it into a ‘people game’. This is where your interaction with your child is the game, such as tickle or chase. For example, tickle your baby for a few seconds and pause until the giggles subside. Wait and look at them expectantly, when you have their attention again ask “more?”. Wait for them to show or tell you they want more and then tickle them again.

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