Supporting the use of language

How children learn language

Every child learns to understand and use language in their own way, and at their own pace.

There is not one right way to learn language. Children can follow different paths as they develop their understanding and use of language.

Different ways children learn language

1. Learning one word at a time: Some children begin by learning single words and gradually putting them together. For example: “dog” → “dog sleeping” → “little dog sleeping” → “The little dog is sleeping.” As their understanding grows, they learn how words fit together to make longer and more complex sentences. This way of learning is sometimes called Analytic Language Processing.
2. Learning in phrases: Some children begin by learning whole phrases or chunks of language. For example, “See you later, alligator!” or lines from songs or TV shows. Over time, they may start to break these longer phrases into smaller parts and use them in different ways. This way of learning is sometimes called Gestalt Language Processing (GLP).
3. A mix of both: Many children use a combination of both approaches and the way they learn language may change as they grow and develop.

Key points

• Children can learn language in different ways.
• No one way of learning language is better than another.
• Children may communicate using words, gestures, symbols, signs, pictures, videos or a combination of these.
• Some children need additional support from adults to develop their communication skills.
• The most effective support is tailored to the individual child and their specific strengths and needs.
• There are many well-established strategies that help children develop their communication and language skills.
• Research into GLP is still developing and professionals are continuing to learn more about how different children acquire and use language.
• We do not yet have clear answers about which children learn best through particular approaches, or whether any one approach is more effective than another.
• Every child is unique, so assessment and support should always be individualised.

Speech and language therapists are trained to support children’s communication and language development, whatever their preferred way of learning. We adapt our assessment and support to each child’s individual communication profile, ensuring that support is tailored, evidence-informed, and appropriate for their stage of development.

Strategies to support expressive language

• Let the child lead: During play or in conversation, hold back and let the child take the lead. This will help you to see what interests them, and how they are communicating with you.
• Follow their interests: Watch and listen to what they are saying, playing with, or motivated by. This gives them time and space to think and communicate.
• Join in with what they are doing: Get involved in a child's play and conversations. This helps you to engage in their world and means they're more likely to want to communicate with you.
• Encourage joint attention: share focus on what you are both looking at or playing with. 
• Get down to the child’s level: Being face-to-face makes it easier to see messages we are giving each other. This helps to engage the child, shows them that you are interested and helps them to listen to you.
• Use non-verbal communication: Use gestures, pointing and change the intonation, pitch and tone of your voice. This can make play and chatting more exciting for the child. For example “Vroom vroom the car is coming!” or “Oh no! The car has skidded off the side of the road”.
• Model language: Comment on what the child is doing using short and simple comments. Children need to hear language in context for them to learn new words. It is important to model language, and comment on what is happening as it happens. This includes single words, combinations of words and phrases.

• Respond to and celebrate echolalia (repeated phrases): This is a meaningful way your child is showing what they have noticed or want to share. 

• Encourage different ways to communicate: Using gestures, pictures, signs and symbols alongside words is known as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). It is just as meaningful as using spoken words. 

Read more about adult-child interactions