Receptive Language:
Receptive language refers to your child's ability to listen with understanding. Skills that demonstrate strong receptive language skills include: responding to different question types appropriately (ex: Yes/No, What, Where questions), identifying familiar household items and toys, pointing to pictures in books, and following directions from 1-3 steps.
At home, work on receptive language can be easily incorporated into your day:
- Read with your child:
- Ask your child to identify common pictures by pointing (ex: Where is the dog? Find the car)
- Ask your child simple questions in order to check story comprehension (ex: Where did the kids go? What is the mom doing?)
- Play a simple version of Simon Says, giving two step directions. (ex: Jump then touch your nose.) If two step directions are too difficult, start with one. Have your child give you directions as well.
- At the grocery store have your child help with shopping. They can locate items by name (ex: Find an apple.), by category (ex: Get a fruit), or by feature (ex: Can you find something red).
- Ask your child questions about things you see when driving in the car (ex: What color is that light?)
- When watching cartoons, ask your child simple questions to determine comprehension of the plot (ex: Who was that show about?)
Here are some links which include additional home activities, ideas and resources for addressing receptive language skills:
