How responsive are you when it comes to promoting children’s communication in your classroom? Take a few minutes to respond to the questions in this checklist. Then, share and discuss your responses with a coach, trainer, or administrator.

Characteristic Yes Sometimes No Notes
I know how all the children in my classroom communicate wants and needs.

I quickly respond to all communication attempts by the children in my classroom.

I often use language expansions when talking to the children in my classroom.

I use positive affect when responding to the communication of children in my classroom.

I use developmentally appropriate language when talking with the children in my classroom.

When talking with the children in my classroom, I take one turn then wait for them to take a turn.

When talking with the children in my classroom, I try to support one more communication turn than we normally do.

I promote communication between the children in my classroom during daily activities and routines.

When necessary, I provide prompts or cues to help the children in my classroom communicate.

I model appropriate communication skills during daily activities and routines.

When talking with the children in my classroom, I follow their lead and talk about what they are interested in or attending to.

I arrange the classroom environment to promote communication.

I describe what the children in my classroom are playing with and use the words they would use.

I communicate without asking lots of test questions.

I provide the children in my classroom frequent opportunities to make choices.