Peer Conversation:

Child to child conversation help build understanding, empathy and language. It is important for adults to talk to children, however when your kid talks to another there are some skills and advantages they can gain in which is not present when they talk to an adult.

Conversations are important to build literacy skills and oral language. This includes talking, taking part of a conversation listening skills and comprehension.

Before children learn how to read, they learn how to talk. Talking and taking part in a conversation helps build the foundation for all literacy skills. When children talk to one another, also known as peer conversation, they help develop the the skills needed for reading and writing.

Advantages of child to child conversation:

• Children build their language, knowledge and sympathy when they share what is going on their life with a peer or friend.
• Children develop trust and relationships when showing they care and listen to their friend.
• Children tend to have their own language. They sometimes better understand rules or instructions from a peer than from a teacher or parent.

How to encourage child to child conversation:

• Let children talk! make sure they have enough time to talk, share and schmooze!
• By morning meeting  have children turn to the child on their left and share either something that happened to them that day or something nice about them.
• ask children their friends advice or input on something- Rachel, what do you think Jon should do?”
• Let children share their news or exciting event with their peers

Peer conversation should happen everyday, every minute. By encouraging talking among peers, friends or even siblings you help the children expand their horizon and help them build their future in relationships, literacy skills and confidence.

Let the talking begin!