Stages 3 and 4 in gestalt language processing

There are 6 stages of gestalt language development. This webpage looks at stage 3 and 4.

Stage 3

Children at stage 3 are starting to pull out single words from longer gestalts. They also start to make new 2 word combinations. This can sound like they are going backwards, because at stage 1 they were using full phrases that they learnt as gestalts.

It is really important that they go through this stage where they free the single words from gestalts. They will then be able to use them more flexibly in order to develop more spontaneous language.

What are the signs that a child is at stage 3?

Examples of things you might hear your child saying at stage 3 include:

• “ball”

• “big ball”

• “daddy ball”

• “this one”

• “what this?”

• “wanna eat”

• “car broke”

• “not blue”

• “cuddle mummy”

How can I help my child at stage 3?

To support your child with their communication at this stage, the main things you should do are:

• Model single words and 3 word combinations. Focus on things your child already talks about and their interests

• At this point, we are not worried about the order of the words or grammar

• Continue to use the general strategies to support gestalt language processors

Stage 4

By this stage, the child has gone through stages 1 to 3. They have broken their gestalts down into single words. They now start to put these single words together. They can use language more flexibly to form their own original ideas. These are new phrases and sentences which are not echoed from anyone or anything else.

What are the signs that a child is at stage 4?

In stage 4, children are starting to use their own sentences. They are beginning to learn and use grammar. Because it is new to them, the grammar can sound ‘imperfect’, such as “him’s got toy”, “mummy need up”, “that not car”, “I you scare?”. This is a good sign that the language is your child’s own rather than a whole gestalt.

At stage 4, children also might start to answer wh- questions more easily. Wh- questions include words like ‘who’ and ‘where’. Before stage 4, children might mostly have answered questions using whole gestalts.

How can I help my child at stage 4?

To support your child with their communication at this stage, the main things you should do are:

• Model 2 to 3 word combinations. Focus on things your child already talks about and their interests

• Model early grammatical features like verbs, plurals, verb endings and tenses

• At this point, we are not worried about correcting grammar. We just model grammar during play and conversation

• Continue to use the general strategies to support gestalt language processors