Intensive Interaction
Intensive Interaction is a gentle, child-led approach that is an integral part of our daily practice at Willow Nursery. It focuses on helping children develop the very earliest building blocks of communication in a way that is natural, playful, and completely guided by the child.
How It Works
- Child-Led Approach: Instead of asking the child to follow our lead, we join in with what the child is already doing—such as copying a sound, mirroring a facial expression, or matching a movement.
- Focus on Early Communication: It helps children develop shared attention, turn-taking, and simple back-and-forth interactions.
- Safe and Relaxed: The approach is relaxed, playful, and non-pressured, creating a safe space for children to explore communication at their own pace.
- Personalised Support: Sessions are tailored to each child’s individual interests, abilities, and developmental stage, encouraging engagement and confidence.
Benefits for Children
Intensive Interaction helps children to:
- Enjoy social interaction and feel comfortable with other people
- Develop early communication skills, including gestures, eye contact, sounds, and facial expressions
- Build confidence and trust in engaging with adults and peers
- Learn the foundations of turn-taking and shared attention
- Foster emotional connection and social awareness
Our Approach
- Individually Trained Staff: All sessions are delivered by staff who have received specialised training in Intensive Interaction, ensuring that children receive high-quality, consistent support.
- Integrated into Daily Practice: Intensive Interaction is used throughout the day and across different areas of learning, supporting communication, social skills, and emotional development.
- Flexible and Responsive: Staff observe children closely and adapt interactions to each child’s responses, creating meaningful, personalised communication opportunities.
For more guidance and examples, please see: Intensive Interaction Video
