What is Modeling Language?
Here at Talk About Therapy, we make it a priority to teach parents how to continue to practice speech therapy with their children on a daily basis. Strong language development does not occur overnight, so our speech language pathologists take pride in helping our families achieve their goals by equipping them with efficient and fun techniques that will help their children progress. Modeling speech therapy is one of the most engaging and effective methods when it comes to at-home therapy. Modeling language therapy encourages the development of communication skills without the use of constant correction. Instead, a constant flow of modeling expressive language is used.
What are the types of Modeling Language Therapy?
There are four main types of Modeling Language Therapy: Self-Talk, Recasting, Parallel Talk, and Focused Stimulation. These categories can be implemented throughout the day, such as during playtime, dinner time, bedtime, etc. Constant repetition of these techniques have shown to stimulate speech and language development in children. Although these tips may seem like small tasks, they will make a huge difference in your child’s language development journey.
Self-Talk
When implementing Self-Talk you should use short sentences to talk about what YOU are seeing, hearing, feeling, or doing when your child is nearby. Make sure to use clear and concise words. This method is extremely flexible because you can talk about anything and everything! The more you expand upon what you are surrounded by, the more your child will absorb.
EXAMPLE: You may be in the kitchen with your child, this is the perfect opportunity to describe your surroundings, thoughts, and feelings.
“Mommy is baking cookies! I am mixing the batter. Let’s put them in the oven!”
Recasting
When implementing Recasting you should expand upon almost everything your child is speaking about. The best way to do this is to add adjectives into your conversations. This will further develop your child’s vocabulary. Remember, the more detail, the better (within reason according to their age)!
EXAMPLE: If your child is speaking about a car, they may say “This my car”. You should then expand upon that by saying “Yes! That is your BIG RED car”.
Parallel Talk
When implementing Parallel Talk you should narrate what your CHILD is seeing, hearing, feeling, or doing. This is essentially the same idea as Self-Talk, but it increases your child’s awareness of their environment.
EXAMPLE: A great time to implement this technique is during play time or during meal time. Some example phrases are : “Wow! You just built a big tower! That block is blue!” or “This ice cream is so sweet! This is so yummy.
“This ice cream is so cold!”.
Focused Stimulation
Focused stimulation is excellent for targeting specific words that you want your child to repeat. Once you know your target words, you should continuously incorporate it into normal conversation.
EXAMPLE: If your target words are “ON” and “OFF”, you should put emphasis on these words during playtime. You may be playing with Mr.PotatoHead, and say “I put the nose ON him” or “I took the ears OFF him”. Use a stronger tone when putting emphasis on your target words.
