Pragmatic/Social Language:
Pragmatic language refers to way children use social
communication skills in their daily interactions with others. This includes
what a children say, how they say it, their body language and whether it is
appropriate to the given situation. Pragmatic/social language skills also refer to a child's response to their communicative partner, reciprocal, back-and-forth exchanges with peers and adults, and ability to imitate and take turns in play and conversation. In the area of pragmatic language typically developing 3-year olds are expected to assume the role of another person in play, use words to request clarification and/or more information to keep conversation progressing, make conversational repairs when not understood, maintain topics for three conversational turns, use appropriate eye contact, and terminate conversation appropriately. Typically developing 4-year olds are expected to use words to invite others to play, use language to resolve disputes, and has good control of the elements required to participate in a conversation.
At home, pragmatic/social language skills can be addressed during a variety of everyday, play activities:
- Work on turn-taking during concrete, back-and-forth activities. For example, build a tower with blocks alternating turns stacking. You hold all the blocks so your child can only have one when it is his/her turn. Language skills can be addressed by having him/her request for a block when it is his/her turn.
- Sabotage your child's play environment so he/she must request for help from an adult to do something. For example hand him/her a bin of toys with a tightly secured lid or a zip-lock bag of snacks. Wait until the child initiates some type of request (verbal or nonverbal depending on his/her skills) for help before opening for them.
- Play on your child's level and establish eye contact before speaking or giving directions. If it is difficult to obtain your child's attention or eye gaze, try holding a preferred toy near your face.
- If your child has difficulty responding to you during verbal interactions try using pictures as visual cues. This can be especially helpful when transitioning between activities. Using a visual timer can also help him/her understand when an activity will be coming to an end.
- If your child is having difficulty playing with toys appropriately try modeling simple, concrete routines and scripts. For example, when playing cars they can drive in the garage, race each other, and get gas. When playing with a farm the animals can eat, sleep, and play together.
- Tips For Developing Your Child's Social Skills
- Social Skills Activities For Preschoolers
- Playing with Words 365: 15+ Great Games For Speech, Language and Social Skills Development
