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 Columnists, special needs, speech & language
Nine principles for supporting children’s comprehension
By Helen Coleman SpeechBlogUK
 June 6, 2014
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“It’s a strange world of language in which skating on thin ice can get you into hot
water” – Franklin P Jones.

The English language is complicated. There is a vast vocabulary, loads of grammar rules (most of
which have multiple exceptions) and even when you understand a word, its meaning often changes
depending on the context. It’s hardly surprising that language comprehension is an area that so
many children struggle with. In fact, the more I think about it, the more amazed I am that so many
children don’t struggle with it. It’s a minefield!
Comprehension problems can be the tricky ones to spot. If a child has unclear speech, this is
immediately obvious when they talk. Likewise, if they have severely restricted expressive language,
it is usually clear that this is the problem, as they find it hard to put sentences together or they use
very few words. Comprehension problems, on the other hand, are harder to spot, as it’s all about
what’s going on in someone’s head. You sometimes have to be a bit of a detective to realise that it
is the understanding of the language that is the difficulty!
The child who seems not to be listening in the classroom and is just messing around can sometimes
be doing that because he doesn’t understand. A child who doesn’t answer questions but just talks
around a topic may not understand exactly what she’s being asked. Another child may just tune
out and be staring out of the window or doing his own thing, because he doesn’t understand
what’s happening. Some of these children actually use language very well, so it can be tricky
working out exactly what is happening.
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Once you have identified the problem however, what do you do about it? Every child is different
and different things will help. However, here are nine principles to bear in mind when trying to
help a child who has difficulty understanding language.
1. Get the child’s attention
When understanding is hard work, it’s natural to stop listening. I remember visiting a friend in
Germany. With my GCSE German, I understood enough to get the topic of conversation a lot of
the time, but actually following every word was impossible. After a while, I found it too tiring to try
and follow the conversation any more and just tuned out. Children with comprehension difficulties
often do the same in a classroom or a busy family situation. Say the child’s name and take time to
get their full attention before you try to help with the misunderstanding.
2. Use different words
Often it can be the vocabulary which is problematic for children to understand. Try using a
different word. EG if the child is confused by having to “estimate” something, try saying “guess”. If
they are not sure what “miserable” means, try “sad”. Be aware that, as I said at the beginning,
understanding a word in one context does not necessarily mean that you will always understand it
when you hear it. Even if you think the child knows what the word means, try using a simpler one.
3. Say it another way
It might be that it is the sentence structure that makes it hard for the child to follow what you are
saying. For example, try to say things in the order they are going to happen. For instance, instead
of “before you watch TV, you need to tidy up”, say “Tidy up. Then you can watch TV”. Try to say
things directly. Instead of, “aren’t you cold?”, say “do you need your jumper?” or “Jumper?”
4. Keep it short
Short sentences are usually easier to understand than longer ones. Cut one long sentence down
into 2 or 3 short ones, with pauses between each one. Stick to the main point.
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5. Prioritise
Realistically, if a child has very significant comprehension difficulties they are probably not going
to follow every word of every conversation to begin with. Pick out the key points that you really
need the child to understand and work on how you can communicate those clearly. Trying to
explain too many things all at once is confusing.
6. Use all your senses to communicate
Show the child. Demonstrate. Use photos and pictures. Use gesture. This is really important and
often helps so much. Often children with language difficulties have much better ability to
understand visual information. Many of the children I work with are much better at jigsaws and
memory pairs than I am! They usually remember things we have done, games we have played,
pictures they have seen before etc. even though they may not remember the words we used. Use
strengths to help the weaknesses. Use as many different channels to communicate as you can, and
encourage the child to do the same. You can find out more about using visual support here
(http://speechbloguk.com/how-and-why-to-use-visual-support-with-children-by-helen/).
7. Make links
Relate new words and concepts to information the child already knows. We all learn best like this.
If someone was trying to explain to me how my car works, it probably wouldn’t help me to start
talking about the inner workings of the engine. It definitely wouldn’t help if they assumed that I
know what words I hear in garages such as “alternator” and “spark plugs” are and what they do!
They would need to start by working out what I do understand (eg how to drive my car) and link
the information in from there, a little bit at a time. Children are just the same. Don’t assume you
know what a child understands – check it out and then start from there. Keep linking back to things
they already understand and have experienced.
8. Ask
Ask the child to explain what they have understood. We’ve already identified that question words
can be particularly tricky, so just ask an open question such as “what do you need to do?” or
“What did your dad say?” Listening to what the child says can often help to identify where the
breakdown has occurred and which bit needs some extra help. They may have understood 80% of
what was said but misunderstood one vital bit. Make sure you’re explaining the right bit!
9. Stop!
Sometimes we can be so intent on explaining something to the child in lots of different ways that
we just talk too much and inadvertently confuse them more. It’s easily done – I frequently catch
myself doing it in my haste to try and help! Pause and give yourself (and the child) time to think.
Say one thing and then wait before saying more. Give one instruction at a time. With an older
child, ask them if they are ready, or teach them to give a signal that they are ready for more.
About
Latest Posts
Helen Coleman SpeechBlogUK
Speech & Language Therapist at Speech Blog UK
Helen is a speech and language therapist with more than 10 years' experience of
working with children, families and schools.She is a regular columnist for Special
Needs Jungle and also blogs jointly with Elizabeth Gunner at Speechbloguk.
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One comment
Gavin elliott
June 6, 2014 at 6:07 pm
just read it and as the dad of a daughter who has no speech but plenty of communication
methods then this article is so thought provoking.
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