COMMUNICATION
SKILLS
SPEECH VS. LANGUAGE
Language is a system of learned rules that enables us to communicate ideas and convey wants/neds. Reading, writing, gesturing and speaking are all forms of language.
Language falls into two main headings: Receptive & Expressive
Receptive Language, which is understanding what is said (auditory perceptual skills), listening comprehension, written, or sign language.
Expressive Language, which can be communicated via speaking, writing, non-verbal language and using sign
language.
Children learn at different rates and have varied developmental skills. Some are skilled language learners and other children need additional time to comprehend, process and use their language effectively, so it is best not to compare one child’s development to another’s.
Language acquisition for all children occurs gradually through interaction with people and the environment.
Try to provide your child with as many language enriched situations as possible and remember to talk about what you and your child have experienced each day. Verbal -turn taking and good conversational skills develop with modeling and consistent practice.
Speech/Articulation is the clarity of an individual’s speech. It involves how a person produces the sounds in words and then combines words to produce sentences. As children develop their sound system, their speech needs to become intelligible in order to be understood and to effectively communicate. Young children’s verbalizations do not always sound like an adult’s. Expect your child’s articulation to be child-like as he/she is developing the sound system. The ages at which specific sounds develop vary.