Supporting Your Gestalt Language Processor: Tips for Parents and Caregivers

By Kristin McConnell, MS, CCC-SLP 

As a parent or caregiver, understanding how to support your child who is a gestalt language processor can be both empowering and essential to their language development. In this post, we’ll explore strategies that can help your child thrive. Whether your child is just beginning to show signs of gestalt language processing, or you’ve already begun speech therapy, these tips will give you a solid foundation to best support your child. We’ll review what gestalt language processing is and learn specific techniques that you can incorporate into your daily routines. 

Understanding Gestalt Language Processing 

Gestalt language processing is a natural method of language acquisition where children learn and produce language in chunks, or “gestalts.” These chunks are often full phrases or sentences that the child has heard in their environment—from conversations, movies, TV shows, or songs. Rather than learning language one word at a time, children who are gestalt language processors tend to absorb whole phrases or sentences. As they grow, they begin to adapt and apply these phrases in different situations. With the right strategies, children who are gestalt language processors can learn to use language more flexibly over time. 

Effective Strategies for Supporting a Child who is a Gestalt Language Processor 

Supporting a child who is a gestalt language processor can sometimes feel challenging, but your support is essential to their language development. Here are some functional strategies that you can include in your daily routines: 

Follow Your Child’s Lead  

“…we begin with children’s authentic experiences of life, the ones where kids feel safe and happy. We take special notice of when kids are happiest, share those times, and gradually superimpose sound and language on them.” – Marge Blanc, M.A., CCC-SLP 

Children learn language most effectively when they engage in activities that captivate their interests. When we enter a child’s world of play, it’s important to join them in exploring what excites and motivates them. This approach is often referred to as “child-led play.” It involves setting aside our ideas about what play should look like and instead embracing the child’s way of playing. Children may not always use toys or objects in ways we expect. For example, a child might choose to line up blocks rather than stack them or spin the wheels of a toy car rather than push it on the ground. As adults, it can sometimes be difficult to let go of our own ideas for how play should go, but it can also be incredibly rewarding and fun. To fully engage in child-led play, take a moment to observe your child’s actions before jumping in. When you’re ready to participate, get down to their level—whether that be sitting beside them or lying on the floor. This helps you see the world through their eyes and better understand their interests.  

Do the Detective Work 

Echolalia, or the repetition of words and phrases a child has heard, is communication. A child might repeat phrases from books, movies, TV shows, or conversations that seem out of context in the moment. However, these phrases often carry intentional meaning. Try to understand what your child might be attempting to communicate in these moments. Once you have an idea, try modeling what you believe they’re attempting to say. For example, a child might say, “Grandpa Pig is falling!” from their favorite show Peppa Pig. After some detective work, you may realize the child says this every time something falls. Therefore, you can model, “It’s falling down!” for the child. 

Acknowledge What Your Child is Saying, Even if You Don’t Understand 

Children who are gestalt language processors are often mistakenly labeled as using “jargon.” However, long strings of seemingly unintelligible language may actually be gestalts. Since they haven’t yet developed the motor skills to accurately produce longer phrases and may struggle to distinguish individual words, their speech can sound like a blur of sounds. If you don’t understand what your child is trying to say, acknowledge their communication attempt by nodding your head, smiling, or saying “Yeah!” It’s important to show children that we’re listening and that their communication matters. 

Refrain from Asking Questions  

Rather than directly stating their needs, children who are gestalt language processors may ask questions as a way to make requests. This is because they tend to repeat phrases they’ve heard from others, often verbatim. When we focus on modeling declarative statements rather than asking questions, we provide these children with language models they can use functionally. For example, instead of asking, “Do you want juice?” model “I want juice” for them. 

Model Language from Your Child’s Perspective 

Children who are gestalt language processors learn language from what they hear in their environment—from conversations, TV shows, or songs. Providing language in context will help them learn more language and use it more flexibly. Just as we model single words for toddlers, we should model phrases and sentences for gestalt language learners. When you do this, model language from the child’s perspective using “I” and “we” rather than “you” or the child’s name. For example, instead of saying, “You’re hungry,” try, “I’m hungry” or “Let’s get a snack.” 

Conclusion 

Supporting a child who is a gestalt language processor requires understanding, patience, and consistency. By following your child’s lead, doing the detective work, acknowledging their communication attempts, and providing clear language models, you can significantly enhance their ability to use language effectively. Remember that progress takes time, and with the appropriate strategies, you can help support your child through their language development journey. 

If you suspect your child might be a gestalt language processor, it’s always a good idea to consult with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in this area. Understanding how your child processes language can make a big difference in their communication development. If you’re looking for expert guidance and support in nurturing your child’s language development, reach out to SensAble Kids today.