The "Simplify" Technique: Reducing Language to Increase Communication

As caregivers, you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s language development. You are their language model. How you model language can increase your child’s communication. One highly effective technique you can incorporate at home is the "simplify" method, a strategy that emphasizes the use of simple, clear, and manageable language during everyday interactions.

What is the "Simplify" Technique?

The "Simplify" technique in speech therapy is a method in which caregivers and educators reduce the complexity of the language they use when interacting with children. The idea is to provide clear, short, and direct models of speech, which helps children better understand and produce language.

The "Simplify" technique is designed to:

1. Reduce cognitive load: Children are growing both their understanding of language and expression of language. Simplifying language helps children process your model and focus on key words without feeling overwhelmed. 
2. Provide clear models: By using simpler words and structures, you are modeling the language that is developmentally appropriate for them to use.

Why Does the "Simplify" Technique Work?

The effectiveness of the "Simplify" technique is rooted in how children learn language. A study by Weisleder and Fernald (2013) found, “infants who experienced more child-directed speech became more efficient in processing familiar words in real time and had larger expressive vocabularies by 24 months, although speech simply overheard by the child was unrelated to vocabulary outcomes.” Providing a clear, simplified model demonstrates language that is within a child’s zone of development. 

Examples of Simplified Speech

Here are a few examples of how you might simplify your language when interacting with your child:

• Example: “Can you tell me where your toy car is that you were playing with yesterday?”
• Simplified: “Car, where are you?”
• Example: “I’m going to need you to put on your shoes, grab your jacket, and let’s head out to the car for our appointment.”
• Simplified: “First put on your shoes. Then get in the car.”
• Example: “Do you want to go to the park and play with your friends, or would you prefer to stay home and do puzzles?”
• Simplified: “Go to the park or stay home?”

When to Use the "Simplify" Technique

The "Simplify" technique is a versatile tool that you can use throughout your child's speech and language development. Initially, simplifying language is particularly helpful for children who are just starting to communicate or those who are working on language comprehension. As your child progresses, you can gradually introduce more complexity into your speech while still ensuring it’s understandable.

Keep in mind that the key to this technique is to meet your child where they are. If they’re able to handle slightly more complex language, feel free to challenge them, but always stay within their current developmental level.

Conclusion

The "Simplify" technique is a simple but effective way to support your child’s speech development. By reducing the complexity of the language you use, you make it easier for your child to understand, imitate, and communicate. As you incorporate these strategies into your daily routines, you’ll be helping your child build a solid foundation for communication skills that will serve them well in the future.

For more resources on language development and speech therapy, check out the following references:

References

• Weisleder, A., & Fernald, A. (2013). Talking to children matters: Early language experience strengthens processing and cognitive abilities. Psychological Science, 24(11), 2143-2152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613488145

Photo by: Sarah Pflug from Burst