What is play? - Carson Street School

10…VISUAL SYSTEM - ‘Let’s Chat’ System
The ‘Let’s Chat’ system is a visual system that offers the play partner specific
strategies to engage with your child in a chat and help develop your child’s
communication and literacy skills. The ‘Let’s Chat’ book is a tool that can be used by
both your child and the play partner to have an interactive chat about their play
sessions that are meaningful and interesting to your child.
The ‘Let’s Chat’ book is produced using a child centred approach, where there is a
direct connection between the contents of the book and your child’s life. It contains a
written account about your child’s play experiences, accompanied by visual
information. The content of the chat book is built on play activities that your child has
enjoyed. This is a great way of tapping into your child’s interests. This then
contributes to the development of a positive attitude towards literacy and
communication.
The “Let’s Chat” process requires interactive and active participation by both
the play partner and the child. The entire process promotes the development of
the child’s social and communication skills in a meaningful and functional way -
before, during and after play.
• Before the play occurs chatting
with the child about the play will
help prepare them in terms of
what to expect.
• During the play session,
by interacting with the child
and others, the play partner
can model a variety of social
and communication skills.
• After the activity has occurred, creating
the pages in the “Let’s Chat" book
together will enable the child to
revisit their experience with the play partner.