Language strategies: Re-modelling

Language difficulties are nobody’s fault, but changing the way you talk can really help your child

How do I use this strategy?

Repeat back to your child the word, phrase or sentence they have said, correcting any mistakes.

Illustration of adult correcting a child's speech

This strategy allows you to acknowledge what your child has said, but then let them hear the correct version.

It helps you to give praise and reinforcement, rather than negative correction

This can help children with words they have said incorrectly. For example: “tat” instead of “cat”

It can also help with mistakes with sentence structure for example: “I wented to the park” instead of “I went to the park”

Examples

Child says “tat” – you say “yes, cat”
Child says “mouses” – you say “yes, mice”
Child says “miaou” – you say “yes, a cat”
Child says “daddy work gone” – you say “yes, daddy gone to work”

Why use this strategy?

This is a positive way of giving your child the correct model without highlighting their mistake – this builds their confidence and self‑esteem.
This also gives your child the correct model without using lots of extra words.
It helps reinforce the correct model to help them learn it.

Additional resources and information

These videos are part of the Weekend Words series and explain and demonstrate how to use language strategies in everyday activities at home.

Information to help you understand and support children and young people’s speech, language and communication: Speech and Language UK

Activities for parents, children and young people to improve their language, literacy and communication skills from home: Words For Life

An article on: Helping Your Child to Talk

Helping you help children to communicate: The Hanen Centre

The Giving Voice campaign aims to ‘give voice’ to people with speech, language and communication needs: Giving Voices

Contact us

For more information please contact the Speech and Language Therapy Service at Flockton House on 0114 226 2333.

Is something missing from this resource that you think should be included? Please let us know

Disclaimer

Please note: this is a generic information sheet relating to care at Sheffield Children’s NHS FT. These details may not reflect treatment at other hospitals. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professionals’ instructions. If this resource relates to medicines, please read it alongside the medicine manufacturer’s patient information leaflet. If this information has been translated into another language from English, efforts have been made to maintain accuracy, but there may still be some translation errors. If you are unsure about any of the guidance in this resource or have specific questions about how it relates to your child, always ask your healthcare professional for further advice.

Speech and Language Therapy Children, parents and carers Parents and carers Teachers Strategies Easy Read

Resource number: SL35

Resource Type: Article

Language strategies: Re-modelling

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