Language
What is Language?
Often times I have parents ask what does it mean when their child is found to have a language disorder. What does that entail? Language means that we communicate our thoughts not only verbally but also through a system of arbitrary signals, vocal sounds, gestures and written symbols. Language is made up of not only words, but the various meanings of words (homophones), Morphology (how verbs and nouns can change in a sentence based on present/past tense), grammar/syntax (the rules which govern language), and hidden meaning of phrases (idioms, metaphors, similies.) A breakdown at any level in the language domain can impact a child in and out of the classroom. Be it in the child's ability to understand language (Receptive Language) or a child's ability to express themselves(Expressive Language). If their is delays in receptive or expressive language one can expect that this will have a direct impact on a child's ability to function in the classroom setting.
VOCABULARY/SEMANTICS
Vocabulary is one skill that is a precursor in helping with comprehension as well as written language. Help your child develop their language and vocabulary in a fun manner and way by clicking on this great resource which works on improving language and semantics in a fun interactive way....
Click on these links:
Antonyms, Synonyms and Homophones
PARTS OF SPEECH/GRAMMAR/SYNTAX
Help your child understand the various parts of speech that comprises their sentence structure by identifying nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs while playing fun interactive games.
Click on these links:
ROOT WORDS/PREFIXES/MORPHOLOGY
Children who can understand the meaning of prefixes and root words often can figure out the meaning of words that they have never read or heard before. Here is a great resource to help your child practice identifying and learning the various meaning of root words and prefixes while playing a fun interactive game.
IDIOMS/SLANGS/PRAGMATICS
Idioms are expressions used by adults in everyday speech. They provide the salt and pepper to any conversation! Since they often have different meaning from words used, they can be a puzzle to the younger, less experienced language user. Idioms such as "Hold your horses" means wait but it refers to the days before cars when people uses horses for transportation. Idioms have their origins in all kinds of places- but they are used often in everyday conversation.... Help your child learn the meaning of this abstract language by playing some interactive games online...