SLT BLOG: Tips for Improving Grammar Skills in Children with Down Syndrome:

TODAY'S SLT BLOG IS FROM BRÍD O' CONNELL

Improving grammar skills is essential for effective communication with all children. Difficulties with grammar, such as dropping the words in sentences, are common for children with down syndrome. Here are some practical tips to help foster grammar development.

Model Correct Grammar

• Speak Clearly: Use correct grammar when speaking with your child. This provides a model for them to learn from.

• Rephrase Incorrect Sentences: If your child makes a grammatical error, gently rephrase their sentence correctly without directly pointing out the mistake.

Encourage Sentence Expansion

• Start with Simple Sentences: Encourage your child to expand simple sentences by adding details. For example, change “The dog is big” to “The big dog is running in the park.”

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Prompt your child with questions that require more than one-word answers, encouraging them to construct longer responses.

Engage in Interactive Activities

• Grammar Games: Play games that focus on sentence building, such as “Mad Libs” or matching activities that reinforce grammar rules.

• Storytelling: Encourage your child to tell stories, providing prompts to help them use varied sentence structures and tenses.

Use Music and Rhymes

• Songs and Chants: Incorporate songs and rhymes that highlight grammatical concepts. Repetition through music can reinforce learning in a fun way.

• Create Your Own Songs: Work with your child to create simple songs that include specific grammar rules or vocabulary.

Provide Positive Reinforcement

• Celebrate Efforts: Praise your child for using correct grammar, even if it’s just a small improvement. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence.

• Set Achievable Goals: Establish specific grammar goals and celebrate accomplishments to motivate continued progress.