{"id":916,"date":"2023-06-07T15:22:38","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T15:22:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/?post_type=publication&#038;p=916"},"modified":"2023-07-31T16:42:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T16:42:24","slug":"from-first-words-to-sentences","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/valuedvoices.com\/publication\/from-first-words-to-sentences\/","title":{"rendered":"From First Words to Sentences"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-916\" data-postid=\"916\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-916 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From First Words to Sentences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Journey of Childhood Self-Expression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Written by Sholeh Shahinfar, MA, CCC-SLP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Published by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.autismadvocateparentingmagazine.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">AUTISM ADVOCATE Parenting Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The moment your little one says that first word is filled with magic, excitement and a whole new world of opportunities. Your little one has spoken the first word, and you are so excited for what is to come. So, what comes next? What can you do to help turn words into phrases and sentences?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the outset, I would like to offer a quick reminder that childhood speech and language development is highly individualized and includes many layers. Although developmental milestones can be helpful guidelines, they should not be interpreted as indicating exactly where your child needs to be. Simply use milestones as guideposts in your child\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/valuedvoices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book a Complimentary Consult<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do I Know My Child is Ready to Combine Words?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You will know your children are ready to combine words when they have two ideas that they want to express. For example, if your little one wants to be picked up and says, \u201cmama,\u201d to get your attention (idea 1) and puts his or her arms up (idea 2), then your child is ready to begin combining words. Your little one is pairing a word with a symbolic gesture in a message that has two ideas: to get your attention; and to be picked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, children begin combining two words together between 18 and 24 months of age. Known as&nbsp;<strong>telegraphic speech<\/strong>, this practice involves combining a noun and a verb, such as \u201cmommy eat\u201d or \u201csleep baby.\u201d Many children can use about 40 verbs by 24 months of age. If your toddler isn\u2019t there yet, don\u2019t worry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before your child even begins putting two ideas or words together, you need to make sure your child understands various word types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a Word Type?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, our little ones learn nouns first; they label things in their environment and pictures in books. A great way to begin exposing children to more language is by expanding what they are saying. For example, if your child sees the garbage truck go by and says, \u201ctruck,\u201d you can expand by saying, \u201dYes, that\u2019s a&nbsp;<strong>big<\/strong>&nbsp;truck.\u201d If your child points to a bird in the sky and says, \u201cbird,\u201d you can expand by saying \u201c<strong>Fly<\/strong>&nbsp;bird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/valuedvoicestherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/First-Words.png\" alt=\"First Words\" class=\"wp-image-4798\" title=\"First Words\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/valuedvoicestherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/First-Words.png\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The foundation to expressive language is receptive language, or the language that we understand. If your little ones are only using nouns, they aren\u2019t able to e\ufb00ectively communicate their wants and needs. That\u2019s why you want to make sure your children understand a concept before being asked to use it. So, how can you make sure your child understands other word types besides nouns? Try asking your child to do the following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Point to actions in pictures, such as the boy who is eating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Point to actions in pictures, such as the boy who is eating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow directions, such as jumping when asked.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Point to colors, sizes and other adjectives, such as the red truck, an item that is big, or something that is small.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is to begin modeling and narrating verbs and other word types throughout your daily routines, and creating the opportunities to use them. In addition to nouns, such as people, places and things, and verbs, like run, sleep, go and want, the following are some other word types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adjectives,<\/strong>&nbsp;like hot, big, yellow, fast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjectives,<\/strong>&nbsp;like hot, big, yellow, fast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prepositions,<\/strong>&nbsp;such as in, out, on, under<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social Words,<\/strong>&nbsp;like hi, bye-bye<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pronouns,<\/strong>&nbsp;including me, I, you, mine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Requests,<\/strong>&nbsp;such as more, again, all done<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Negation,&nbsp;<\/strong>like no, can\u2019t, don\u2019t.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/valuedvoicestherapy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Verbs.png\" alt=\"Verbs\" class=\"wp-image-4801\" title=\"Verbs\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Can I Support My Child?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve touched on a few ways to support your child\u2019s progression from words to phrases and sentences, but I\u2019d like to recap and expand on the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Expansion<\/strong>&nbsp;is one of the greatest ways to model word combinations for your child. If your child is just using one word now, like \u201cdog,\u201d take that word and add on an extra word, such as \u201cbrown dog.\u201d If your child is using two to three words, like \u201cbrown dog,\u201d take those words and add more, such as \u201cthe brown dog is running.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Emphasize<\/strong>&nbsp;the important words to draw them to your little one\u2019s attention. A great time to do this is when you model language, narrate, and use expansion. When your child says, \u201cdog,\u201d you say, \u201cbrown dog,\u201d with added emphasis on \u201cbrown\u201d so that your child tunes into the new word that you just said. The more you emphasize, the more your little one will tune into the new word. This helps boost language development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Choices&nbsp;<\/strong>are a great way to elicit word combinations. Here is one of my favorite tricks: if your child loves to play with balls, Legos, cars, or whatever it may be, get out a ton of the objects in various colors and sizes and keep them in your lap or in a box. If your child requests a \u201cball,\u201d take out two or three at a time, and say \u201cHmm, which one?\u201d See if your child will expand his or her own language to clarify the request by asking, for example, for the \u201cgreen ball\u201d or the \u201cbig ball.\u201d If your little one has difficulty independently using two words here, offer choices using just two words. Hold up each object as you name it and ask, for example, \u201cGreen ball or red ball?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Gestures and signs&nbsp;<\/strong>provide another way of learning and developing language. When you give your child more water, pair the sign for \u201cmore\u201d with the spoken word and say, \u201cmore water.\u201d Pairing gestures with words boosts your child\u2019s understanding of language, which in turn will support his or her expression of language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;Repetition&nbsp;<\/strong>is one of the greatest tools to help develop understanding and use of language. The more you repeat, the more your child hears, which means the more opportunities to learn!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;Respond&nbsp;<\/strong>and acknowledge your little one\u2019s attempts at communication. For example, if your child says, \u201cDaddy goed outside,\u201d acknowledge the communication and respond by providing the correct grammar: \u201dThat\u2019s right, daddy went outside.\u201d Don\u2019t forget to emphasize the word you want your child to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fun Activities to Get you Started<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I always tell my families that expanding a child\u2019s language should be something that is happening&nbsp;naturally.&nbsp;The opportunities happen every day, all the time. Some fun activities you can use as part of your daily routine are listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022&nbsp; Create a fun washing or bathing game. You can do this during bath time or play by filling up a bucket with water and grabbing a bunch of toys. Target the verb \u201cwash\u201d and describe what you are doing. For example, say, \u201cwash hands,\u201d \u201cwash head,\u201d \u201cwash feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Use the words your child already knows. Use the nouns that your little one knows, and create opportunities to expand to phrases and sentences. For example, when your child requests a \u201ccookie\u201d for a snack, offer instead small pieces of the cookie each time and model \u201cmore cookie\u201d or \u201cwant cookie.\u201d If your child is already at this phase, then increase it to \u201cI want cookie\u201d or \u201cI want more cookie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Create a \u201cbye-bye box\u201d or \u201cgone box.\u201d Get a box or bin to use when you are cleaning up activities or toys. Have your child put the object in the box while saying, \u201cbye-bye teddy,\u201d or \u201cteddy gone.\u201d You can also use this activity to include prepositions, such as \u201cteddy in\u201d or \u201cteddy in box.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2022 Play, play, play all day! There are so many opportunities to work on receptive language skills through play. Take advantage of every opportunity to narrate, model and expand language so that your little one is learning and using new words!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is such an exciting time filled with so many celebrations! Keep in mind, however, that part of the celebration is embracing all of it, including the setbacks and the struggles. Be sure to encourage your little one, expand on the use of current words, and provide chances to combine words together in a natural way. You can use the tips and tools outlined above to guide you. Remember that you are an important part of the process on your child\u2019s journey of self-expression!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From First Words to Sentences The Journey of Childhood Self-Expression Written by Sholeh Shahinfar, MA, CCC-SLP Published by&nbsp;AUTISM ADVOCATE Parenting Magazine The moment your little one says that first word is filled with magic, excitement and a whole new world of opportunities. Your little one has spoken the first word, and you are so excited [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":917,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>From First Words to Sentences | Valued Voices Therapy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"he moment your little one says that first word is filled with magic, excitement and a whole new world of opportunities. 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