Language is a self expression
Language is a self dialogue
Language cannot be a symbol of one’s intelligence
There is obviously two modes of language – receptive , expressive
Oh no there are two more – body language and para language
Language is a tool that helps us to communicate with others
Other tools are our eyes , hands , facial gestures , grimace , grunts that also aids the communication with others
More tools in line is our pitch , tone , speed , posture while expressing our thoughts. These form part of what I mentioned before -body language and paralanguage
As said , there is receptive and expressive language .
This is where the vocabulary bank comes into action
This is where exactly narrative descriptions comes into play
We often confuse speech , language and communication
But let’s be clear, communication is the notebook, speech is the pencil and language is sharpener
So when you opt to develop language and speech in your child , you should actually incline yourself to develop the opportunities to communicate
Communication includes expressing likes , dislikes , needs , feelings , emotions, thoughts and ideas rather than labelling A is for apple or brinjal is of purple color
When you begin to develop communication , your most important strategy to achieve success is “ Role modelling”
Now what role modelling should include in building expressive language skills to strengthen communication
Well expressive language should not be limited to requesting only for e.g “I want icecream”
Expressive language should include
1.Commenting , for e,g “ wow , this is fun”
2. Suggesting for e.g , “let’s go , let’s open it
3. Protesting for e.g , “ stop it , go away “
4. Sensory motor experiences , “ its too loud , it feels good , I love jumping “
5. Common practice messages. For e.g more , “I am ready , are you hungry ?, I am busy, I am late “
6. Transition messages , for e.g , “what next , time for dinner , clean up time”
7. Asking for help for e.g , “ I need help , I don’t understand. Can you help? “
8. Feelings for e.g , “I am bored , I am upset , I am scared”
It is good to role model and use these phrases repeatedly and in context to situations to help child catch and generalise language and have coomunication
It is important to know children with ASD , Fragile X and late language emergent see language differently.
They would grasp language as strings , chunks or sounds rather than a single words that’s why they have tendency of echolalia
Communication development goals should use echolalia as a learning objective rather than another concern to intervene
Once the child can learn and understand and begin comprehending these acquired chunks and strings of words for e,g “this was fun”, “ go away “
You can then step by step go to encourage child to channelize these words into proper syntax and functional language
Lastly I want to shout out on repeat mode
“ Language can be caught and not taught”
Language , expression and communication should be dealt as a incidental , associative and experiential learning
Next lets dive into “The language that you can talk with your child.”
Well this is in continuation to my opinion where I said
“ Language cannot be taught, language is caught “
So when it comes to language , there many components or types .the spoken words are usually forming the lexical component or commonly as “ Lexicon “. The non lexical component is formed by the “ para language “
Para language is intonation of speech , speed and pitch
So when you are really tired your para language is low pitched and dull and uninterested
When you are angry the para language is high pitched , fast and very energetic and demanding
When you are anxious the para language is very feeble , not easily noticeable , speed is slow and very shaky
Paralanguage also includes hesitation noises like ah …. Or the pauses that one takes , facial expressions and gestures
Role modelling is a very valuable strategy that is applied in training anyone any skill
If you have heard “ A teacher should be a positive role model for students. “ If you try to decipher this statement then it means that the teacher should actually demonstrate body language , behaviours that are appropriate and expected from students.
Thus if the teacher expects the child to s it and talk then she should display this behaviour to the child. Children do well with role modelling because they learn more lateral and non tangential teaching . If we directly try to teach the child , they may be nervous , confused or wont relate with it at all. They might also result into an escalating situation as they take it like a demand hammered on them
Let’s see how language and communication can be promoted by role modelling.
For e.g if you want child to get familiar with sensory words in their vocabulary and epressive language , a parent can demonstrate a jumping activity and say simultaneously “ lets jump fast “
If you be consistent , then the child can catch the language as well as the sensory movement of jumping
If you want the child to use and start with transition words in their oral language , then you can role model the spoken words or phrases for e.g lets start dinner whenever you sit with dinner with the child
As long as the child observes the adult doing and using some words , he /she catches and is encouraged to use it functionally
It must be kept in mind children can take on the unexpected and inappropriate words as well as behaviours and emotional reactions from the adults too.
It is not wise to use uncool words or insulting words in front of the child , the same goes for behaviours and emotional responses that are undesirable like hitting , pushing , screaming when angry
Remember children are like mud , they can get moulded in any shape easily
It is your responsibility as an adult to prepare a positive appropriate cast or mould for this mud to take shape
Now let’s talk about a bonus strategy which I think can become your favourite.
This is…………………
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is strategy that is used again to teach or start any new skill. This can be used both in language development , and any life skill
Let’s take an e.g
If you want your child to use primary vocabulary as well as secondary vocabulary . Primary vocabulary is “ball “, and secondary vocabulary is adding descriptive word to primary word like “ red ball “
Scafolding can be done in the following steps
First – You both see the picture of the ball and say “ ball “
Second – You both see a picture of red ball and say “ red ball “
Here both times you give the child a full verbal prompt
You can practice this for few days
Third – you show the child the picture of the red ball and point . let the child say alone red ball
Fourth – you open the page where red ball is and don’t give any physical or visual prompt , brcause of habituation and repetition the child would say “ red ball “ with no or minimal prompts
Thus scaffolding is like introducing something to the child with full prompts and then you fade thye prompt with lastly removing the prompt completely and child gets independent
Well I know this too much information for the day . I would suggest read it , process it , practice it , you might fail but do not give up
There are communicative functions which form our speech , language and social communication.
Now which ones you should be aware and mindful to teach and reciprocate with your child . Here is an amazing video attached to understand communication functions a lot better and deeper
Go and check this video now my dear.
All the best in exploring language development in new way with your little genius
Creative Efforts and Language Stimulator and Pragmatic Therapist – Heena Sahi
The creative representation for my blog depicting communication is done by supremely talented CreativeSaathi duo Dhrov Tikoo and Nikhil Thotam
“Two little birdies” and “two beautiful ducks” chirping and conversing their best communicative functions to the world ”
