Expressive Language

We use two different language skills when communicating with each other - expressive language, and receptive language. Here, we will be looking at expressive language.

Expressive language is the ability to express thoughts, needs, feelings, and ideas. To put it simply, expressive language means using language, written or verbal, or any other way of catching attention (such as making a gesture or noise), to express something. For example, a child being able to communicate when they need something demonstrates their expressive language skills.  Children who are consistently unable to communicate their needs effectively might have expressive language difficulties or an expressive language disorder. 

We mentioned earlier a few examples of expressive language, like gesturing or writing. But there’s a lot more that makes up expressive language. Here are some more examples of using expressive language in everyday life:

• Using grammar correctly when speaking (e.g. “I went to school” instead of “Me goes to school”).
• Being able to communicate bodily needs, like needing the toilet or being hungry.
• Retelling or describing a story.
• Passing on messages with accurate details.

Problems with expressive language become noticeable around the ages of four to five. By this time, children should be comfortable using language and speaking fairly fluently. They should be able to share their thoughts and feelings, as well as use correct simple grammar when speaking.

The cause of delays in expressive language is often unknown. Some children are delayed for a little while then catch up (known as ‘late talkers’) and progress at a normal rate, while for others it could be a sign of a developmental difficulty or impairment, such as autism or hearing loss. 

There are quite a few ways of recognizing if a child has expressive language difficulties. Here are some examples of what difficulties with expressive language can look like:

• Having a more limited and basic vocabulary when compared to other children of the same age.
• Not joining up simple sentences with ‘and’ or other connecting words (e.g. “I went to the shop. I bought a toy” instead of “I went to the shop and bought a toy”) by the age of six or seven.
• Making consistent grammatical errors or leaving out key words in sentences.
• Not being able to communicate basic needs.
• Not understanding conversational rules such as turn-taking.
• Often getting into arguments or misunderstandings because they miss key non-verbal cues or haven’t clarified their point of view

If you are concerned about your child’s speech development, we recommend that you seek the advice of a speech and language therapist.