Analytic Language Development and some helpful strategies to support your child

Did you know that there are two ways that children can develop language? Analytic Language Development and Gestalt Language Development. This week we will be discussing analytic language processors, with gestalt language processors coming up next week!

Analytic language processors are children who start to speak by babbling, move onto words, then two word combinations, phrases, sentences, and eventually conversation while developing grammar. In other words, the ‘bottom-up’ approach to language. No matter how the child develops language, each requires a unique set of strategies to support their overall development. Here are just a few of our favorite strategies that you can even start implementing in the home TODAY!

Modeling words/naming: Name (label) the object/thing that the child is playing with/looking at/doing, eating, etc. to increase word count and increase the child’s vocabulary.

Expanding utterances or the ‘copy and add’ strategy: This strategy involves you repeating back what the child has said and adding another word on. This helps the child learn how to join words together. Example for modeling of 2-word combinations if the child is currently producing single words; if the child says, “car” adult says, “fast car”.

Choices: Offer a choice of two things to use in the activity. Hold the two choices up to the child. Let the child respond using looking, pointing, words, sounds, or gestures. Be sure to name the object the child has chosen.

Using cloze phrases or fill in the blank: “The Wheels on the (pause) ___” and waiting for the child to say “bus” or when labeling/finding items you could say “It’s a (pause) ___” facilitating the child to produce the noun.

Reduce Questions: Try to avoid asking lots of questions during play and routines. Instead, turn your questions into comments and talk about what is happening. For example, instead of asking “Are you ready for bed?”, try “I’m so sleepy” or “Time for bed.” We ask questions to see what the child knows, but children who are learning to talk need to hear the words said multiple times first.

Modeling language WITHOUT expectations; it truly can be that simple and we sure do love it at Midwest Speech Therapy.

Questions? Or perhaps you want to learn how you can better support your child’s language development? Reach out to us at hello@mwspeechtherapy.com or give us a call to schedule a free consultation by phone at 586-209-3826