Language Development – FEATS Techniques

“Who, What, Where, When, & Why” “Wh” questions include:  What, Who, When, Why and How. Everyday experiences are the building blocks for learning how to respond to them. Present your child with developmentally appropriate “wh” questions. “What” and “Where”...

“The Long And The Short Of It” Select 2 of the same items that are significantly different in length (long and short): - Long and short bubble wands. - Long and short paint brushes. - Train tracks that can be added to. - Long and short pieces of string. - A Slinky...

“Less Is Less” & “More Is More” This technique can be used when teaching other quantity concepts as well (“all”, “some”, “rest of”) as well as comparisons (“more”, “most”, “least”). Throughout the day, ask your child to give you one of a given item when presented...

“Navigating Home-Sweet-Home” Take your child on a “tour” of the house.  As you enter each room, name it as well as a few of your child’s favorite things in the room. Have your child arrange pieces in appropriate rooms of a dollhouse. Ask your child to retrieve objects...

“Like Two Peas In A Pod” Your child’s ability to group is very important in organizing and making sense of his surroundings. It helps him to gather familiar information and take in new information. Organize toys by categories in different bins/areas (e.g., cars with...

“The Same, But Only Different” Talk about how objects are the same and how they are different. What makes them the same or different? Is it the color, shape, size, function, etc? Show your child 2 items that are identical or very different from one another. Describe...

“Jumbo Shrimp?” Help your child locate items around the house and outdoors that are big and little.  Present him with various objects that are big and little and place them in piles.  Label the objects by size and name Point out size differences in similar toys (e.g.,...

“The Whole Is More Than The Sum Of Its Parts” Verbalize to your child as you point out parts of larger objects (e.g., wheels of a car, nose of a person, tail of a horse, legs of a chair, door of a car). Present your child with various objects or pictures (especially...

“Actions Speak Louder Than Words”  (But Words Describe Actions) Verbs are action words.  They are particularly fun to teach a child because you and your child can act them out.  Use physical prompts to assist your child to perform these actions.  Narrate the action as...

“Color My World” Start with primary colors (e.g., Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet). Select objects that are different only by color (e.g., crayons, blocks, pegs). Have your child sort the objects by color first to make sure he can tell the difference between...