Language
Language relates to how we share ideas, get what we want, and understand what is spoken to us. Language can be can be oral, written, or gestural.
Expressive Language: how we convey ideas, needs, and wants.
Expressive language relates to the words we choose to communicate our basic needs and ideas in a way that makes sense and is grammatically correct. Children that have difficulty communicating their wants and needs may have expressive language difficulties or an expressive language disorder. Just like sounds, learning language is developmental and learned over time, however there are ages in which skills are expected to be mastered for children. If a child is still struggling with a concept past the age where they are expected to have mastered that skill, that child may have an expressive language disorder. A child that has difficulty communicating that they need to use the bathroom, are in pain, or are hungry may have an expressive language disorder.
Examples of expressive language:
Asking questions
Naming objects
Using gestures
Using facial expressions
Making comments
Vocabulary
Syntax (grammar rules)
Semantics (word/sentence meaning)
Morphology (forms of words)
Receptive Language: how we interpret what we hear
Receptive language relates to how we understand what we hear. For example, if you give your child the task of “put your shoes on”, can he/she complete the task? Your child’s ability to listen and follow directions depends on their receptive language skills. Typically, receptive language develops earlier than expressive language skills- they can understand what is said to them earlier than they can produce it. Just like sounds, learning language is developmental and occurs over time, however there are ages in which skills are expected to be mastered for children. If a child is still struggling with a concept past the age where they are expected to have mastered that skill, that child may have a receptive language disorder. A child that has difficulty comprehending what is said to them may have a receptive language disorder.
Examples of receptive language skills:
Following directions
Understanding what gestures mean
Answering questions
Identifying objects and pictures
Reading comprehension
Understanding a story
Nonverbal Language: the process of sending and receiving a message without spoken words
A significant part of our communication is non-verbal. From our facial expressions to our tone of voice provides information about who we are and how we are feeling. For example, we can summarize very quickly how someone is feeling if they are smiling vs. frowning. Understanding how to interpret someone’s body language is a skill not easily taught, however it is imperative that we understand these social rules when initiating and maintaining friendships.
Examples of nonverbal language:
Facial expressions
Gestures
Vocal volume
Tone of voice
Body language
Personal space
Eye gaze
