In the Incidental Teaching process, what is the purpose of the "Talk-Up" step?

The "Talk-Up" step in the Incidental Teaching process is designed to comment on and elaborate related to the child’s interest. This step is important because it helps connect the child's natural interests and experiences to language development and communication skills. By focusing on what is meaningful to the child, it encourages engagement and promotes a more interactive environment, which can enhance learning. This approach aligns with the principles of incidental teaching, fostering a context in which the child is more likely to participate and respond, thereby facilitating natural communication opportunities. The comments made during this step serve to model language and stimulate conversation about topics the child is already eager to explore. This connection between the child's interests and structured language input is crucial for effective communication development.