Babble Buddies

2       Routines

​

Each session is structured to build motivated conversational behaviour:

• Welcome & Greeting Game – children join and are prompted: “What do I want to say to someone else today?”
   

• Skill Introduction Circle – introducing the week’s motivated focus (e.g., “Asking a follow-up question”, “Turning my comment into a question”, “Listening before speaking”)
   

• Puppet/Video Conversation Model – model a scenario where motivation matters: “What made the puppet ask again? What kept them talking?”
   

• Partner or Small-Group Practice – children try the conversation skill of the day in a supported peer interaction, with prompts like: “What will motivate you to listen? What will motivate you to ask?”
   

• Free Play with Conversation Prompts – children play and talk; adult support steps in to prompt motivated connecting: “Would you like to ask your friend what they think?”
   

• Wrap-Up Reflection – children share: “One thing I tried today to connect,” and “One thing I will try next time to stay in a conversation.” Praise is tied to their motivated effort, not just success.
   

​[Example Activities]​

• “Conversation Spinner” – children spin a question or topic prompt, then ask their partner; after, reflect: “How did my partner respond?” “What did I learn about my partner today?”
   

• “Listening Mirror Game” – one child tells something, partner repeats/summarises; adult asks: “What motivated you to listen carefully?”
   

• “Topic Swap Relay” – children begin talking about one topic, then switch to another and practise a smooth transition; prompt: “What motivated me to switch instead of stopping?”
   

• “Goodbye Role-Play” – children practise ending a conversation in a motivated way (“It was fun talking to you because… Would you like to keep talking later?”)
   

• “Curiosity Cards” – each child draws a card with a question about another person; prompt: “What did I learn about my partner today?”

​

✅ Is This the Right Group for Your Child?

Q: My child talks a lot—but mostly about themselves or changes topics quickly. Will this group help?
A: Yes — Babble Buddies now emphasises motivation to listen and connect. We help children recognise that a conversation is a two-way exchange and practise ways to stay motivated in it.

​

Q: I know my child is still young but verbal. But she often misses what others are doing and interrupts or hurts them. Is this group okay for her?

A: Definitely, as this group is an easier version of Kiddo Steps, which is for older learners, we are introducing the social inference curriculum that we developed recently. It will expose our learners to the different social situations and practice how to understand the components of those situations.  

Q: My child is shy or tends to observe more than join in.
A: That’s absolutely okay. We don’t force speaking; we support children in choosing to engage, and celebrate even small motivated moves like asking a question or waiting for their turn to speak.

Q: What kind of child is this group best for?

• Children aged approx. 4-6 years

• Are verbal, but may struggle with conversation flow, staying on topic or listening to others

• Need help with initiating, sustaining or ending conversations in a peer setting

• Would benefit from a group environment focused on motivation to connect rather than just conversation rules

• Respond well in a playful, structured setting with visuals, modeling and repeated practice

Click to Register!