Curiosity, Attunement & Communication: Listening to 2yr olds

About

This reflective and practical webinar explores the idea that language and communication with 2yr olds cannot be separated from attunement, relationships and curiosity. Before we can meaningfully support children’s communication and language development, we first need to notice the unique child, how they are making meaning in the world, what holds their attention, and how their thinking is already being expressed through gesture, action, emotion and interaction.

A central focus of the session is proto-conversations, the everyday back and forth exchanges through which meaning is co-constructed long before or alongside spoken language. These interactions are shaped by emotional synchrony, shared attention and the adult’s capacity to be present, responsive and genuinely curious. Alongside this, the webinar considers a more challenging thread in how adult interpretation, pace and questioning can unintentionally narrow communication. We will explore how what is recognised as language is often shaped by adult expectation, and how quickly interactions can become instructional rather than relational, particularly for 2yr olds who are frequently viewed through lenses of behaviour, compliance or delay.

Through a series of practical provocations and reflective discussion activities, practitioners will explore:

* communication beyond words and the multiple ways meaning is expressed
* proto-conversations, attunement and emotional synchrony in everyday interaction
* how adult questioning, rushing and directing can unintentionally shut down curiosity and communication
* conversational equity which children are most readily recognised as communicative and why
simple shifts in interaction that open up richer shared thinking in the moment

Practitioners will leave with practical, realistic strategies that can be applied immediately in everyday routines, focusing on how to slow interactions, follow children’s curiosity, and notice the communicative intent in what might otherwise be overlooked. The session is designed to feel grounded, thought provoking and directly applicable to the realities of practice with 2yr olds.

Also available blog: Attuning to Conversational Equity: Listening to 2yr olds