Expanding the use of sentences

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Now your child is joining some words together it is possible to support them to use longer and different types of sentences.

To make sentences children need to use different types of words, for example:

Introduce the different types of words like above in everyday routines and situations such as mealtimes, playing outside, bathtime, playing with toys

For example at bathtime: “we are washing” “here’s your sponge” “your hands are clean” “wash behind your ears” “first bathtime next storytime”

Use more comments than questions when you talk, you can talk about what your child is doing using simple sentences, for example rather than ask “what are you doing?” you can comment “I’m chopping the apples up” and pause for your child to respond.

If your child is using 2 or 3 words together repeat them back and add a word or idea.

Once children are using short phrases, we can help their language sound more mature by using more advanced grammar (the way the words and sentences are structured and ordered).

Modelling language; repeat back the language your child uses with the ‘correct’ (adult) grammatical words and structures, don’t make them copy you, they are hearing the words to use when they are ready.

You might find it useful to fill in the table below

Your child’s sentence	What you could mode. Remember: pause and wait, don’t make them copy you
“my daddy?”	“where’s my daddy”
“car goes fast”	“The car went fast”

If you work in an Early Years Setting you can find more ideas in the WellComm ‘Big book of ideas’ and Elklan ‘Early Language Builders’.

Alder Hey Community Speech and Language Therapy Department

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

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