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.

• Answers simple yes/no questions like "Did you eat lunch?"

• Answer open ended questions like “What did you do at school?”

• Retell story, parts of stories or events

• Talks about things that happened during the day

• Asks and answers questions, asks for information and makes comments.

• Takes turns and stays on topic when talking.

• Shows interest in what others are saying.

• Starts conversations.

• “Read” picture books from memory.

• Tells a story by looking at pictures in a book.

• Answers harder “yes” or “no” questions like “Did the girl take her puppy into the house with her?”

• Says all speech sounds clearly.

• Tells and retells a story in the right order.

• Uses complete sentences to talk about ideas.

• Uses most parts of speech or grammar correctly

• Asks and answers “who”, “what”, “where”, “why” and “when” questions.

• Stays on topic and takes turns when talking with people.

• Gives directions

• Shows understanding of what he/she reads.

• Answer more complex yes/no questions like “Was the boy in the story telling the truth when he said he was g going to a friend’s house?

• Explains words and ideas.

• Ask and answer who, what, when, where and why questions.

• Uses more complex sentences when speaking

• Give directions with 3-4 steps

• Use oral language to inform persuade and entertain

• Stay on topic, take turns and use appropriate eye contact during conversation.

• Open and close conversations properly.

• Talks for a variety of reasons – to comment on something, to convince someone, and to make someone laugh.

• Explains the main parts of a story like the main idea, characters and plot.

• Predicts what will happen in stories.

• Reads and retells a story in the right order

Sources:

• https://www.asha.org/siteassets/uploadedfiles/Build-Your-Childs-Skills-Kindergarten-to-Second-Grade.pdf

• https://therapyworks.com/blog/language-development/home-tips/expressive-vs-receptive-language/