Recasting and rephrasing are two important strategies in language development that involve modifying a child’s speech in order to provide them with more accurate or complex models of language. These techniques are especially helpful in supporting children who are developing language, including children with autism or other speech and language delays.
1. Recasting
Recasting involves taking a child’s incomplete or incorrect sentence and repeating it back in a grammatically correct or more complex form. Recasting doesn’t interrupt or correct the child directly, but rather provides a subtle, natural opportunity for them to hear a more accurate or advanced version of what they said.
- Example of recasting:
- Child: “I goed to the park.”
- Adult (Recast): “Oh, you went to the park!”
In this case, the adult takes the child’s incorrect past tense form (“goed”) and corrects it by using the proper form (“went”) without explicitly saying, “That’s wrong.” Instead, the child hears the correct language model in a non-punitive, supportive way.
2. Rephrasing
Rephrasing (or paraphrasing) involves restating what the child has said, but with a different structure or vocabulary. Rephrasing is used to provide a clearer or more sophisticated version of the original statement, often expanding it by adding more information or complexity.
- Example of rephrasing:
- Child: “Dog running fast.”
- Adult (Rephrase): “Yes, the dog is running very fast down the street.”
In this example, the adult expands on the child’s simple sentence by adding more detail (“down the street”) and using a more complete sentence structure, which models how to use more descriptive and grammatically complete language.
Importance of Recasting and Rephrasing in Language Development
Both recasting and rephrasing are valuable techniques for helping children develop their language skills because they:
- Provide Correct Language Models:
Children learn language by hearing it used correctly in context. By recasting and rephrasing what they say, adults provide models of correct grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure in a natural and engaging way. These models help children understand how language works and how to improve their own communication.- Support Language Expansion:
Through rephrasing, children are exposed to more complex vocabulary and sentence structures. This encourages them to expand their own language abilities. Rephrasing helps them understand how to organise ideas more clearly and use a richer variety of words.- Promote Confidence:
Recasting and rephrasing are less confrontational than direct correction. They avoid the risk of making the child feel self-conscious or discouraged, which is especially important for children with language delays or social communication challenges (like those with autism). This approach fosters a positive and supportive learning environment, which is crucial for building confidence and motivation to communicate.- Encourage Conversational Skills:
By modelling more complete responses or expanding on the child’s statements, both recasting and rephrasing help children learn how to take turns in conversation, provide more detail, and express themselves more fully. This is particularly important for developing social communication skills, such as sharing ideas and engaging in back-and-forth dialogue.- Facilitate Grammatical Development:
When children hear grammatically correct or more complex sentences, they start to internalize the rules of grammar and structure. Recasting helps children with issues like tense usage, plural forms, pronouns, and word order. This is especially important for children with language delays or speech disorders who might not automatically learn these rules without extra support.- Promote Active Listening:
Recasting and rephrasing also encourage children to listen closely to language. When they hear their words repeated in a slightly different or more accurate form, they become more attuned to the nuances of language, which helps with comprehension and later production.How to Use Recasting and Rephrasing Effectively
- Be Responsive: Try to respond to what the child says, rather than just “correcting” them. Keep the conversation going to show interest in their ideas and to encourage further communication.
- Don’t Overcorrect: It’s important not to overdo recasting or rephrasing, as it can make the child feel like their language use is constantly being judged. Instead, incorporate it naturally into the conversation so that the child doesn’t feel like they’re being scrutinized.
- Model Variety: Use recasting and rephrasing to model different ways of saying things. For example, if a child says, “I play with cars,” you can model different ways to express that idea: “You’re playing with your cars” (simple rephrasing) or “You’re racing your cars around the track” (expanding with more detail).
- Make It Meaningful: Choose topics and vocabulary that are meaningful to the child. When language is connected to the child’s interests, they’re more likely to engage with it and retain it.
Example in Context
Imagine a child with autism who is learning to use words to describe objects. They might say something like:
- Child: “Car fast.”
You could recast this in several ways:
- Recasting: “Yes, the car is going very fast!”
- Rephrasing: “The car is speeding down the road!”
By doing so, you model not only the correct use of grammar (the article “the” and the verb “is going”) but also provide more descriptive vocabulary (“very fast” versus just “fast” or “speeding”).
Conclusion
In summary, recasting and rephrasing are powerful, supportive strategies in language development, helping children acquire more sophisticated language skills, improve their grammatical understanding, and engage in richer social communication. For children with autism, these techniques are especially valuable as they provide consistent, non-threatening models of language, foster engagement, and support the child’s language growth at their own pace.