Declarative Language Handbook: Using a Thoughtful Language Style to Help Kids with Social Learning Challenges Feel Competent, Connected, and Understood by Linda K. Murphy

Author:Linda K. Murphy [Murphy, Linda K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Linda K. Murphy
Published: 2020-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

Here is one of my favorite stories to illustrate how these thinking verbs, when embedded in declarative statements, get to a higher level of discourse. A 9-year-old boy named Michael hated when it rained. He loved to go outside for recess and when it rained, he couldn’t. In fact, whenever it was rainy, he would arrive at school saying, “It’s not raining!” His teachers tried to get him to say otherwise, and when he wouldn’t, they concluded he was being rigid.

One day it dawned on me that Michael was likely having trouble expressing what he meant. I knew he knew it was raining. That was not the issue. So I said, “Michael, I wonder if you mean you wish it wasn’t raining.” Immediately he answered, “Yes! I wish it wasn’t raining.” And with that simple addition to his statement, we could move beyond the misinterpretation that he was being rigid, and towards fostering greater social connection and teaching the nuances of language. This was an opportunity to learn more about Michael’s thoughts, opinions, and feelings, and help him expand his vocabulary so that he could better express these to others. It was also an opportunity to help him problem solve.

After he acknowledged what he really meant, I then said to him, “I know Michael. It’s hard when it rains out. Most kids don’t like it. Most kids feel that way because they can’t go outside and have to think of different things to do during recess time.” Immediately, our conversation touched on the experience he was having and validated his feelings. It then moved on to problem solving: “Michael, let’s think of some things that you could do at recess when it rains. It won’t be the same as going outside, but maybe it will be good enough.”

The declarative statement created a space for Michael to express his feelings and then guided him toward problem solving. This conversation was richer, more dynamic, and more meaningful than the previous debate about what the sky was doing.

The declarative statement created a space for Michael to express his feelings and then guided him toward problem solving. The conversation became richer, more dynamic and more meaningful.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.