Engage Your Child In Play With O.W.L Strategy
O – Observe (your child’s interest)
W – Wait (for his/her response)
L – Listen (for his/her communication)

Here are some practical examples on using the O.W.L strategy with your children:

Example 1: Puzzle Play

Observe:
– Child fixes alphabet puzzles in order
– When he/she is done, he/she pours out the letters and starts fixing it again

Wait: (for child’s response)
– As child fixes the letter “a”, you hold out letter “b” for him/her
– He/she looks at you then takes the letter
– Continue the interaction with other letters
– As the interaction gets more consistent, only present the letter after he/she looks at you

Listen: (to verbal and non-verbal communication)
– He/she communicates interest by accepting the letters from you
– Follow his/her lead to stop when he/she starts keeping the puzzle or runs off to another toy.