Expressive Language
What is Expressive Language
Expressive language is the “output” of language, the ability to express your wants and needs through verbal or nonverbal communication. It is the ability to put thoughts into words and sentences in a way that makes sense and is grammatically correct.
https://therapyworks.com/blog/language-development/home-tips/expressive-vs-receptive-language/
Scroll down and find the statement that best suits you and your child's abilities.
My child has difficulty with literacy skills (e.g., re-telling stories, rhyming, identifying sounds, phonics).
Narratives
Narrative skills allow us to understand and tell stories. These skills are are important for our day to day lives, as use stories to learn and communicate throughout our day. For example, we use narrative skills for: reading comprehension, re-telling events, telling others about ourselves, following and giving instructions, describing, and much more.
Phonological Awareness
Phonological awareness skills are important in literacy development. Phonological skills include manipulating sounds and words (e.g., recognizing when words rhyme, identifying sounds in words, etc.). By developing these skills, children learn to recognize patterns in words and use this knowledge to read and learn.
Phonics
Phonics refers to knowledge of letter sounds and the ability to apply that knowledge in decoding unfamiliar printed words. Phonics is learning the relationships between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language This is a distinct skill from phonological awareness, but still important for becoming a good reader.
My child uses a limited vocabulary.
182_VocabularyTiers.pdf3 Tiers of Vocabulary
Teaching vocabulary involves a multidimensional approach that can include visuals, repetition or multiple exposures to words in different contexts, and relating these words to prior knowledge. However, teaching vocabulary is more than just know how to teach - it is also knowing what to teach. Knowing which types of words to teach can positively impact vocabulary acquisition.
How Vocabulary is Learned
Through a gradual process.
Extensive listening and reading.
Interaction with others.
Refining discrimination of ideas, actions feelings and objects.
Combining new concepts with old knowledge.
Vocabulary Instruction
Vocabulary instruction that is supported by research includes:
Interesting, explicit instruction that encourages "word and world exploration".
Word targets that:
Mature speakers and writers use.
Connect to other words and concepts (think about a web).
Refine conceptual understanding.
Teaching Ideas
Click here for 9 tips to build your child's vocabulary at home from the Iowa Reading Research Center.
Click here for ideas on how to make learning language practical, easy, and FUN! from Super Duper Inc.
My child doesn't use proper grammar when speaking.
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. Examples of pronouns include: I, me, he, she, herself, him, his, they, etc.
Pronouns refer specifically to the people being spoken about. When a student uses an incorrect pronoun (e.g., "Him doing that!"), their sentences may sound immature and/or the child may have difficulty conveying their message.
Sentence Structure
Errors in sentence structure at the school-age level may include incorrect word order or incorrect formation of questions. Difficulties in this area may impact conversational skills and literacy development.
Word Endings
Word endings can change the meaning of the word and impact the grammatical structure of a sentence. For example, past tense -ed is a word ending that changes the word "kick" to "kicked". When students use incorrect word endings or leave them off completely, their sentences may sound immature.