Children learn language through everyday experiences, understanding words before saying them. Routines and repetition are important for language learning, as the more exposure a child has to a word through a familiar experience, the easier it is for them to understand and use that word. Children progress from understanding simple words and instructions to combining words and communicating, with patience and exposure over time leading to language development.

1. How Children Learn Language Presented by: Lisa Domas, M.A., CCC-SLP

2. How Children Learn Language Children Learn a Word When: The word is used again and again in everyday experiences. The word represents something that interests the child.

3. How Children Learn Language Experience… …then understanding …and then words.

4. How Children Learn Language Understanding Expression

5. How Children Learn Language Experience… …then understanding …and then words Example: Bath Time—multi-sensory

6. How Children Learn Language Children understand words before they can say them in a meaningful way. Imitation.

7. How Children Learn Language The more familiar an experience is (the more often it is repeated), the easier it is for a child to learn to use or express the gestures, words, or signs that go with it. Learning language takes time. Be patient. Each time a child hears a word or sees the sign, it takes her/him one step closer to being able to use that word or sign herself/himself.

8. How Children Learn Language Routines and repetition are very important!!!

9. How Children Learn Language Experience… … then understanding … and then words Examples: Light & “up”

10. How Children Learn Language Children almost always understand more than they can say or sign. First Words User Stage can understand simple, three-word instructions but only use one word or sign at a time. What kinds of things does your child understand? Some children understand much more than they can say or sign. Combiner Stage for understanding Communicator Stage for expressing

11. How Children Learn Language Children learn language through their experiences. Children understand words first and then, over time, may be ready to say the words. Help your child learn language during everyday activities.

12. Receptive Language Goals: Respond to intonation Look at familiar objects/persons when named Respond to familiar verbal/gestural commands Point to people, pictures, objects upon request Respond to action words Respond to negation Respond appropriately to 1/2/3 step commands Respond to possessives, pronouns

13. Success consists of a series of little daily efforts. Unknown Author