New Zealand psychologists, enhance your practice with this course on play-driven listening and language development in 0-3 year olds.
Play is a child’s most natural and powerful tool for learning - and for children aged 0–3, it forms the foundation of listening, communication, and language development.
In this engaging presentation, Louise Ashton draws on her experience as a Speech-Language Therapist, Audiologist, and Auditory Verbal Therapist to explore how reciprocal parent-child interactions foster the early development of auditory and language skills. This talk offers psychologists and allied professionals a unique window into the mechanisms of early listening and language acquisition, and how these are supported (or hindered) by various play experiences.
Louise highlights the importance of face-to-face, emotionally attuned interaction and provides a review of research examining the effects of electronic and “busy” toys on language-rich exchanges. She emphasises the developmental power of traditional play, while offering practical insight into supporting parents in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
The session includes a developmental breakdown of key milestones between 0–36 months and guidance on how to recognise and optimise play opportunities during these critical early years.
Sections
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Identify the features of reciprocal communication and its connection to theory of mind development.
Evaluate the research on electronic toys versus traditional play in supporting language-rich environments.
Learn how to use play therapeutically to promote communication and listening skills in infants and toddlers.
Recognise age-specific developmental milestones and how to support parents in enhancing interaction at each stage (0–36 months).