Enhanced Milieu Teaching Strategies: Time delay

Definition: 5-10 sec wait time integrated throughout play

interaction between caregiver and child to encourage a
response.

Example: during tickle time mom will pause randomly and wait for
the child to make a vocalization (uh, mu du, ma) or shows
a gesture (reaching, pointing), or vocalization, take a turn, before
continuing

Example: During mealtime mom will present child with on

cheerios and wait (5-10 seconds) to see a response from the child
before giving another cheerio.

Example: during bath time mom would withhold a favorable object

above the child in order to produce a response. Such as a
vocalization, gesture, or sign

*when you are looking for a response it has to be.

Vocalization that is directed towards you.
o Example: Uh, Ah, Ma, Da, Mu
Gesture such as reaching, pointing, grabbing your hand
Signs: this can be approximations of signs
o Examples: More, Play, Eat

OVERALL.
You wait 5 to 10 seconds before you see a response then immediately
continue.

Colleen Douglas 2017

Adapted from Scherer, N.J., Kaiser, A.

Parent training to support childrens
speech and language development