Language

Understanding language

Understanding language (also known as comprehension or receptive language) helps children to:

• follow instructions
• answer questions
• understand stories
• identify objects and pictures

Using language

Use of language is also known as expressive language. It is how your child is learning to:

• say new words
• put them together into sentences

Use of language also includes non-verbal communication like gestures.

Helping your child understand and use language might involve one of the following methods.

Visuals

Use visuals to help, like photos or pictures.

Gestures and signs

Support verbal language with gestures or signs, as appropriate.

Letting your child guide you

Let your child guide you, and talk about what your child is doing. Label things they reach for and are playing with, and comment on what they are doing. For example, say “oh, a green car” or “it’s a fluffy teddy”.

Repetition

Children need to hear words with their meanings lots of times so that they remember them. That’s why it helps to talk about the things that are there. Going over the same things helps them to remember. For example, “here’s the car”, “it’s a red car” or “a big red car”.

Avoiding distractions and noise

When playing games with your child make sure there are no distractions or noises in the background. It is hard to focus on what someone is saying or doing when the television, radio or music is on.

Making it fun

Make communication fun and worthwhile. Help to make what you are saying interesting by using lots of intonation (up and down sounds in your voice). To back up what you are talking about, use:

• facial expressions and movements
• pictures, symbols or similar things

Keeping it simple

Try not to use lots of long and difficult sentences. Keep it simple and at your child’s level of understanding. Say the names of things, rather than “it” or “that” all the time.

If your child doesn’t understand

Even with these suggestions, there may still be times that your child does not understand something you say.

When this happens, give them some time to think about it and even say it again. If this does not help, try to say it in a different way or just use the most important parts of what you are saying.

For example, say “get your coat” instead of “It’s time to go to the shops and get some food. Can you go and get your coat?”.

Understanding language resources

See our Wordplay video on understanding language for children aged 3 to 5 years old:

The video below covers phonological awareness for parents and carers:

Makaton

Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills.

How Makaton works

Signs are used along with speech, in spoken word order. This helps to provide extra clues about what someone is saying.

Makaton:

• aids understanding
• provides a means of expression
• can facilitate social interaction
• can increase equal opportunities

Makaton training

The Speech and Language Team (SLT) at NHS Ayrshire and Arran provide Makaton training to:

• parents (for free)
• practitioners (for a cost)

We will also support establishments looking for:

• bespoke Makaton training
• Makaton taster sessions

Your local SLT team or speech and language therapist can provide you with further information or specific signs you may need. Please contact our helpline or drop in to know more.

Makaton resources

• Help for families – Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
• The Hanen Centre – Speech and Language Development for Children

Language disorder

Language disorder is a condition where:

• a child’s language difficulties are persisting beyond the age of 5 years and having a significant impact on their communication and or learning in everyday life
• past research indicates they are unlikely to catch up spontaneously

See our section on language disorder for more information.