Facilitating Language in the “Chaos”
With the recent changes in all of our lives, it seems to be hard for anyone to maintain structure. We are all trying to find any semblance of normalcy, let alone keep our children feeling safe and nurtured while we ourselves try to process “This Great Pause.”. Your SLP’s here at AID-L recognize that our kiddos thrive with structure, schedules, and routines. We also understand that their typical routine is not necessarily in the cards right now. However, when it comes to language development, now is the time to embrace this “chaos.” Embrace the changes in routine and the prolonged moments of spontaneous play. This is an opportunity for you to have an even stronger role in their linguistic experiences with the world. Language acquisition is abstract, multi-dimensional, and stressful for many children. Now is the opportunity to implement language in the most functional of places where our kids feel the safest: your warm and loving home.
Start with a book of their choosing. Let them play a part in how they want to learn and interact with words. Have them tell you their favorite part or let them act out the sequence of events. Let them engage. Let them ask the questions.
Narrate the world around them with first person pronouns. By using parallel talk and speaking in their voice, you are allowing them to absorb language in a first-person narrative. When you’re outside for fresh air, there is your opportunity! Narrate: “I’m running.” “Watch me mom.” “Look how fast I’m going.” “Whew that was a big bubble.” “I popped the bubble.” Children are sponges; however now is not the time to stress about percent accuracy for every single goal. Now is the time to let them absorb language, ask questions, and play in their natural environment. Don’t stress the grammatical accuracy of their responses, but by modeling the correct structure it gives them an opportunity to practice and grow their skills.
Your AID-L SLPs recognize that for a lot of our children, structure is wonderful; however, adhering to that tight routine is in itself a challenging cognitive
demand, which makes the added task of learning language harder. So, in the absence of this schedule during “This Great Pause” we are given the
opportunity to take off some of that pressure and develop more impromptu learning moments.
As always routine, consistency, and functional goals are vital for your child’s growth; however, by embracing these spontaneous moments for language they can thrive. You are your child’s greatest language tool. Your child is learning and growing every day because of you, your communication, and your loving words. If you want to learn more about the benefits of natural environment here are some resources:
7 Key Principles: Looks like / Doesn't look like
Hamren, K., & Quigley, S. (2012). Implementing coaching in a natural environment through distance technologies [Monograph]. The Volta Review, 112,
403–407. Raver, S. A. & Childress, D. C. (2015).
Family-centered early intervention: Supporting infants and toddlers in natural environments. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Swanson, J., Raab, M., & Dunst, C. J. (2011). Strengthening family capacity to provide young children everyday natural learning opportunities. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 9, 66–80.
