Remember that a quick way to instantly improve the quality of partner talk is to give each pair a ‘talking object’ (for example, a Lego piece).
You will find that several things happen:
The more talkative partner stops talking and passes the object when their partner holds out their hand for it.
The less talkative partner starts talking when they are given the object.
The less confident partner often finds it easier to hold out a hand for the object, than to interrupt.
Two tips to maximise the effectiveness of this:
Model, with another adult, the quality of talk you are expecting.
Sometimes give the talking object to the quieter partner, so that they start.
More about talking objects
