The ability to understand language is vital for a child’s overall growth and development. If your child is struggling with language comprehension, our caring speech-language pathologists are here to help. Keep reading to find out what language comprehension is, why it is important, and how it can be improved with pediatric speech therapy.
What Is Language Comprehension?
Language comprehension, also called receptive language, is the ability to understand written, spoken, and nonverbal communication. Receptive language also ties into social skills such as recognizing hand gestures or responding appropriately in conversations.
The Parts of Language
Although we use language every day, it is a complex subject that requires many other skills to master. There are five different parts of language that need to be developed to improve receptive language skills:
- Phonology – the rules of speech sounds, which are vital to understand what people (or words on a page) are saying.
- Morphology – the rules of word structure, such as knowing that “dog” is singular and “dogs” is plural.
- Syntax – the rules of sentence structure, which are important to understand the difference between questions, statements, and commands.
- Semantics – the actual meanings of words and combinations of words, which are necessary to understand things like figurative language and humor.
- Pragmatics – the rules of social interactions, such as knowing that when someone says “hello,” you should say “hello” back to them.
Common Signs of Delayed Language Comprehension
The most common signs of delayed language comprehension include:
- Trouble understanding gestures
- Difficulty with reading
- Struggles following a story
- Trouble answering questions
- Difficulty following directions
- Frequently interrupting conversations
- Often asking others to repeat themselves
- Trouble understanding jokes or humor
How Delayed Language Comprehension Can Impact a Child’s Growth
Children who struggle with receptive language can have difficulties with their social and cognitive development. If your child cannot easily understand others, they may avoid making friends or participating in school. They can even get frustrated and lash out at others because of these struggles. Not only can this impact their academic success, but it can also lower their self-esteem. That’s why early intervention to ensure your child can understand language is so important.
How Can Speech Therapy Improve My Child’s Language Comprehension?
Our pediatric speech-language pathologists are language experts. We use proven therapeutic techniques and activities to help children master all the parts of language. We can also give you tips and activities you can do at home with your child to help them continue working on their language skills between therapy sessions. With our one-on-one treatment and your support, we can work together to help your child improve their language comprehension.
Benefits of Pediatric Speech Therapy for Language Comprehension
If your child is struggling with receptive language, speech therapy can give them the tools they need for success. This can lead to other incredible benefits such as:
- Better ability to make friends
- Increased academic performance
- Stronger communication skills
- Fewer tantrums and misunderstandings
- Increased self-esteem
Schedule Your Child’s Evaluation
Pediatric Therapy Partners has clinics in Bossier and Shreveport, LA, to meet your family’s needs. All you have to do is call us at (318) 746-1199 or fill out the contact form below and our Intake Coordinator will help you schedule your child’s speech therapy evaluation.
