Expanding your Child's Language

How to Expand

When you expand your child’s language, your words or signs should be just one step ahead of your child but within his reach. This means adding between one to three more words or signs. Your sentences should be typical of the type of language your child is almost ready to use. When you’re only one step ahead of your child, he is more likely to attempt to copy you. If your own sentences are long and complex, he’ll probably lose interest in the conversation.

Listen and watch your child’s gestures, sounds, words, or signs. Attempt to understand the whole message that your child is trying to tell you.

Then, repeat your child’s gestures, sounds, words or signs and add a few more of your own. This lets your child know that you understand him. It gives him the opportunity to hear or see the model of a more complete sentence and to learn new words. The principles of expanding your child’s language remain the same whether you are using English or American Sign Language. The conversations in this section are examples of parents using English.

When you add words to your child’s message, try to vary the kinds of words you add.

When parents are first learning sign language and have only a few words they can sign, trying to expand their child’s language can seem difficult. Often, parents find themselves using the same words repeatedly, because they know the signs for these words.

Hint: Before you engage in a play session or an activity with your child, try to anticipate some of the words that you might need. Look these up in your signing dictionary and practice them. Then, you’ll be ready to use a greater variety of signs to expand your child’s language. If you’re taking a sign language course, let your instructor know the kinds of home routines and play activities you do with your child. Ask your instructor to demonstrate the signs you want to be able to use.