What is Intensive Interaction ?

It aims at developing and building the fundamental pre-verbal skills.

It is based on research looking at mother/carer and baby interaction.

It’s a non directive, child led approach.

FIRST STEPS OF COMMUNICATION

1. Enjoy being with other people.

2. Share personal space and appropriately give and receive touch.

3. Attend to other people.

4. Develop attention span.

5. Develop shared attention.

6. Learn to understand looking towards a person.

7. Learn to understand and use facial expression.

8. Learn to take turns.

9. Start to use vocalisations with meaning.

10. Realise that you can have an effect on others.

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

Observe – how the child behaves, moves (including whole body movements), vocalises and interacts with the world.

Use imitation (copy) – mirroring of behaviours, exaggerated styles, intuitive responses, spontaneity, creativity, playfulness and interactive games.

Take their lead, if they do something, you do it (Think about it as if it were a ‘conversation’ based on interaction).