ACQUIRING CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
I have put together a very short video to help parents and practitioners understand what Primary Intersubjectivity is and why it is important.
In addition, if you scroll down, you will see that I have suggested some games you can play with children at home (or in preschool) that promote primary intersubjectivity.
(Photos/videos courtesy of our subscription with Canva).
We all learn and digest information in different ways. If you prefer to read rather than watch a video, I’ve got you, here is the dialogue from the video:
Encouraging children to generate vocalisations and learn culture through face-to-face games can be a delightful and enriching experience for both the children and adults involved. By incorporating elements of playfulness, creativity, and responsiveness, caregivers can create a dynamic environment that fosters expressive communication skills. Starting slowly allows children to observe and imitate facial expressions and sounds at their own pace, gradually building their confidence and proficiency. As the activity progresses, picking up the pace with a fun rhythm adds excitement and momentum, keeping the children engaged and motivated. Being attentive to their facial expressions and verbalisations allows caregivers to tailor the experience to each child's unique preferences and abilities, fostering a sense of connection and mutual enjoyment. For example, if the child doesn’t like eye contact you can tailor the game to suit them. Through this interactive approach, children not only develop their vocal and facial expression skills but also cultivate a love for communication and self-expression that will benefit them throughout their lives (Source: Trevarthen, 1979). Initially in development, children are very interested in faces! Much later in development the area of the brain that detects faces goes on to deal with reading! (Source: Dehaene, 2009).
MIRROR GAME
One effective game for promoting primary intersubjectivity is "Mirror Game." Here's how to play:
Pairing Up. This game is to be played in pairs.
Mirror Partners: Each pair designates one person as the "leader" and the other as the "follower." The leader initiates movements while the follower mirrors those movements.
Start Simple: Begin with basic movements such as waving, clapping, or tapping feet. The leader executes these actions while the follower imitates them exactly, maintaining eye contact and observing each other's expressions.
Gradual Complexity: As participants become more comfortable, introduce more complex movements, like spinning, jumping, or dancing. Encourage partners to maintain synchronisation and adjust their movements to stay in harmony.
Switch Roles: After a few minutes, have partners switch roles so that each person gets a chance to lead and follow.
PEEK-A-BOO
Find a comfortable and safe space to play with your child, such as sitting on the floor or on a bed. Use a soft cloth, blanket, or your hands to cover your face completely, hiding it from your child's view. Say ““peek- a...”
Quickly remove the covering from your face and reveal yourself to your child while smiling and making eye contact and saying “boo”
Watch for your child's reaction, which may include laughter, squeals of delight, or attempts to mimic your actions.
Repeat the process by covering your face again and saying "Peek-a-boo!" to continue the game.Feel free to vary the speed and intensity of the game to keep it engaging and exciting for your child.
PAT-A-CAKE AND TICKLES
‘Pat-a-cake’ encourages participants to synchronise their movements, practice turn-taking, and cooperate in a fun and rhythmic manner, promoting primary intersubjectivity by fostering shared attention and social bonding.
As you play a hand clapping game, sing:
"Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man, Bake me a cake as fast as you can. Pat it and prick it and mark it with 'B,' And put it in the oven for baby and me."
Once you have finished singing the rhyme, give them a tickle!