NOTE: If you are having trouble viewing the video examples, Please read this important information!

Expanding

Expanding Example 1

Willie's skill to learn is to Increase Sentence Length to Two or Three Words.
Willie and his teacher are together.
Willie looks at the pot on the stove and says, "Hot."
His teacher uses expanding by repeating what Willie said but adding two extra words, "Soup is hot."

Click here see a video of this example

Time to Stop and Think

How might the adults have used expanding to make complete sentences?

Many times people naturally create teaching opportunities without calling it that or using the words we do. Probably you have already created teaching opportunities for your child. Can you think of times when you already used Commenting or Expanding to help your child learn a skill?

If your child has an IFSP or an IEP, try to write a plan for how you might use Commenting or Expanding to help your child develop one of the skills listed on the IFSP or IEP. You might ask your child's teacher to help you review your plan.

Here are some examples of possible teaching opportunities. For each child, can you think of ways to create successful teaching opportunities we have discussed so far and how you might use them in each example?

1. Christina's skill to learn is to Describe Actions Using Verbs. Christina and her mother are rolling dough on a pastry board with a rolling pin.

2. Benita's skill to learn is to Use Prepositions "In", "On" and "Under". A caregiver is passing out popcorn at snack time. Benita says, "Popcorn, please."

3. Jake's skill to learn is to Use Color Words. Jake and his friend Anthony are playing with toy cars during free play.

4. Jessica's skill to learn is to Use Prepositions. Jessica is playing with sand at the discovery table. She is using containers and cups.

Now you have read about and seen examples of eight ways you can increase your child's ability to learn a skill or concept by creating teaching opportunities for your child. You can stop here or you can go on to the next chapter PROVIDING HELP.