Suggestions for Language Development
Purpose: To assist and encourage the child in the development of visualization, descriptive language and communication
Apparatus: Tape recorder
Method:
1. After giving the patient instructions for the performance of a home activity, have him repeat those instructions as he understood them. Also have him repeat instructions for previously assigned activities.
2. During the performance of home visual training activities, question the patient as to his awareness of his performance in terms of what he feels, or hears, or sees. As he learns to monitor his own operations, encourage him to put these observations into words, while he continues the assigned task.
3. Question the child each week about his home visual training observations such as:
a. Changes in performance noticed during the week.
b. Describe what seemed most difficult and why.
c. Which activity enjoyed most and why.
4. As performance on home visual training activities improves, have the patient answer questions unrelated to the home activity or have him describe or discuss events unrelated to that activity, while he continues the assigned task.
5. Have child describe a favorite game, sport, pet, trip, teacher, friend, school subject, hobby, TV program, musical group, etc. Select one item each week for discussion.
6. Have child tell stories:
a. To tape recorder–and play back.
b. Experience Reader–dictate, then read back (see activity sheet “Experience Reader” for details).
c. “I Went On a Safari” activity.
7. Select any action picture from a magazine. Have the child describe as much of the action as possible. As necessary, help with leading questions. Urge the use of adjectives adverbs to refine, qualify and describe the objects, actions and events in the picture.
Aspects to be Emphasized:
1. When using the “Experience Reader” or “Tape Recorder” methods of language development, do not correct or alter the child’s choice of words or phrasing during initial taping. Permit him to monitor it himself as he reads it back or as it is played back.
2. Encourage speech at all opportunities. Listen with attention and patience.
