Which pragmatics treatment goal best addresses a young child’s language usage?

Which pragmatics treatment goal best addresses a young child’s language usage?

• A. Child will request a turn with gestures or words 90% of the time
• B. Child will use a two-word combination 90% of the time
• C. Child will correctly produce velars 90% of the time
• D. Child will use irregular past tense forms of specific verbs 90% of the time

Answer: (A)

The goal of having a child request a turn with gestures or words 90% of the time directly addresses the pragmatic aspects of language use, which involve the social rules and contexts of communication. Pragmatics encompasses how language is used in social situations, including turn-taking, initiating conversations, and responding appropriately to others. By focusing on requesting a turn, this goal emphasizes the child’s ability to engage in interactive communication, which is crucial for developing social skills and effective conversational abilities. It encourages the child to utilize both verbal and non-verbal communication methods, recognizing that gestures are an important aspect of how young children often express themselves. In contrast, the other options are more focused on specific grammatical forms or phonetic productions, which pertain to syntax or articulation rather than the social use of language. For effective communication, especially in a social context, understanding how to appropriately request and manage turn-taking is essential. Therefore, this goal not only supports the development of pragmatic skills but also facilitates the child's overall language interaction within their environment.

The goal of having a child request a turn with gestures or words 90% of the time directly addresses the pragmatic aspects of language use, which involve the social rules and contexts of communication. Pragmatics encompasses how language is used in social situations, including turn-taking, initiating conversations, and responding appropriately to others.

By focusing on requesting a turn, this goal emphasizes the child’s ability to engage in interactive communication, which is crucial for developing social skills and effective conversational abilities. It encourages the child to utilize both verbal and non-verbal communication methods, recognizing that gestures are an important aspect of how young children often express themselves.

In contrast, the other options are more focused on specific grammatical forms or phonetic productions, which pertain to syntax or articulation rather than the social use of language. For effective communication, especially in a social context, understanding how to appropriately request and manage turn-taking is essential. Therefore, this goal not only supports the development of pragmatic skills but also facilitates the child's overall language interaction within their environment.