Teaching Words and Concepts to Young Children with Down syndrome – Part Two

Recently we posted about how you, as a parent, can help teach words and concepts to your growing child. Here are some more tips and pieces of advice! Generalize concepts.  Children with Down syndrome, often have difficulty applying the skills they have learned to use in one situation to another similar situation. Provide many experiences with a word or concept once your child has learned the basic concept. Help your child learn, for example, that many different-looking animals can all be called “dog” and that many different things he eats can all be called “food.” Repeat what your child says.  When your child attempts a word, repeat that word. Always provide a correct model when you repeat the word, but do not correct his attempts or make him repeat the word correctly at this stage. Let your child know by your repetitions that you are listening to him and responding to his communication attempts. Follow your child’s lead. If your child shows interest in an object, person or event, provide him with the word for the concept. Focus on your child’s current interest and use that interest to teach your child new vocabulary or new sounds. Practice active listening.  Show your child through your repetitions, shared focus and attention that you are listening to what he is trying to say. In doing so, you will show your child that speech can get attention and that he can influence the environment through speech.

Here, Sarah is following Peter’s lead. Peter expresses interest in the shopping cart and pretend food, and Sarah provides him with different vocabulary words and concepts to expand his knowledge!