Module 11: Understanding Language
In this module we’ll begin with some more advanced matching skills as well as sorting things into categories. Then we’ll move on to teaching your child to understand simple words, like things around the house or familiar people. We’ll start with What Your Child Should Already Know, found below. Then, work your way through each of these sections in the order listed. When you reach the end of each section, you will find a link to the next. In the next module (Module 12), we’ll move on to teaching your child how to say the words that you’ve taught him to understand. This is a long module. It has a lot of things you might want to try with your child. You might want to read it through and then decide where to start with your child. Or you might want to read the first three sections (What Your Child Should Already Know, Non-identical Matching and Picture to Object Matching, Receptive Objects and Animals) and work on them before reading the rest of the module. Remember – you don’t have to do everything described in this module. See what your child already knows and start there – or just do the first 3 sections and come back to the later sections at another time.
Non-Identical Matching And Picture To Object Matching
Module 11 Understanding Language Quiz
What Your Child Should Already Know
If you’ve tried some of the teaching methods we’ve talked about, you might be ready to teach some early thinking and language skills. Before doing this, it’s important to have a strong foundation in the skills described below. Then, we’ll start by showing you how to teach your child to match pairs of objects that are similar but not exactly the same. We’ll also show you how to match pictures to objects. Before starting these teaching programs, make sure your child has learned the idea of matching identical objects from Module 9 and can do it most of the time when asked to do so.
It’s also important for you to be comfortable using prompts. You should also know when to give reinforcement while teaching your child. Your child should be able to do the following:
- Point to the things he wants, preferably with eye contact
- Look at what you are pointing to
- Imitate your actions, with and without objects
- Complete at least a few simple tasks from start to end, like a puzzle or shape sorter, while sitting nicely with you
- Do as you ask for at least 10 learning trials in a row
- Look at you when you speak to him
- Follow some simple instructions with and without objects
If your child can’t do most of these things, it’s best to review the previous modules and continue working on those skills until he can perform them well. If you feel that you and your child are ready, let’s go on.