Receptive and Expressive Language
When it comes to communication, there are three main areas of development: receptive language, expressive language, and speech.
We’ve already talked about the difference between speech and language. Remember, speech is the way we use our mouth to produce sounds, while language is the ability to understand and use words to express ourselves. But within language development, there are two critical components: receptive language and expressive language.
Think of receptive language like the input and expressive language as the output. Receptive language is all about what information children are taking in - it’s about how they understand what other people are expressing to them. On the other hand, expressive language is how they use language to communicate their wants, needs, and ideas to the people around them.
Let's dive deeper into each of these language components. We’ll:
What is Receptive Language?
Receptive language refers to a child's ability to understand and comprehend language. It involves processing and making sense of the words and sentences they hear from others. Think of it as the "input" side of language - how well a child can listen and understand the language they are exposed to.
In toddlers, receptive language includes the words they understand, as well as their ability to understand sentences, directions, and questions. For example, if you ask your toddler to point to the ball or follow a simple instruction like "give me the book," their ability to respond correctly reflects their receptive language skills.
What is Expressive Language?
Expressive language, on the other hand, refers to a child's ability to produce and use spoken language to communicate with others. It involves expressing thoughts, ideas, feelings, and needs. Expressive language also includes non-verbal expressions, like pointing and using gestures. Expressive language is the "output" side of language - how a child can use words, sentences, and non-verbal communication to convey their message.
When your toddler says their first words like "mama" or "ball," they are demonstrating their expressive language skills. As they grow older, they begin to combine words into simple phrases and sentences, expressing more complex thoughts and emotions.
Receptive vs. Expressive Language Imbalance
It's not uncommon for toddlers to have an imbalance between their receptive and expressive language skills - in fact, it’s expected. Receptive language skills typically develop before expressive language skills, which means toddlers generally understand more than they can articulate.
Think of it like learning a new language as an adult. You may understand what others are saying more easily than you can speak the language yourself. Similarly, toddlers have to grasp the meaning of words and how grammar works before they can effectively use expressive language.
However, while we’d expect expressive language skills to come after understanding has developed, it’s not typical for a toddler to understand everything and not be talking. If you notice that your child seems to have a significant gap between their receptive and expressive language abilities, it may be worth seeking advice from a speech-language pathologist or pediatrician.
What is the difference between receptive and expressive language delay?
Receptive and expressive language delays are two distinct aspects of speech and language development in children. A child with a receptive language delay struggles to understand and process language input. They may have difficulty following instructions, comprehending questions, or grasping the meaning of words and sentences. For example, if you ask a child with a receptive language delay to point to the red ball, they might have trouble identifying the object you're referring to. Receptive language delays can also affect a child's ability to understand stories, follow conversations, and engage in social interactions effectively.
On the other hand, a child with an expressive language delay has difficulty using gestures or spoken language to express themselves and communicate with others. They may have a limited vocabulary, struggle to form sentences, or use incorrect grammar. For instance, a child with an expressive language delay might have trouble putting words together to ask for a favorite toy or express their feelings. Expressive language delays can lead to frustration and difficulty in effectively conveying their thoughts and needs to those around them.
It's crucial to recognize that a child can experience difficulties in expressive language or both receptive and expressive language. It's unlikely for a child to have a receptive language delay without also having an expressive language delay. As we mentioned earlier, children must be able to comprehend language concepts before they can effectively use them. Therefore, challenges in understanding language (receptive language) often coincide with difficulties in expressing themselves through speech (expressive language).
Identifying and addressing these areas of concern early on can significantly benefit a child's overall speech and language development. If parents or caregivers notice any signs of language delays in their child, seeking professional evaluation and intervention from a speech-language pathologist is highly recommended to provide the necessary support for the child's communication skills.
Supporting Receptive and Expressive Language Skills at Home
Here are 5 receptive language skills and 5 expressive language skills you can build at home with your little one. I’ve listed them in the order that they usually appear so you can practice with the earlier skills first.
Receptive Language Skills
Expressive Language Skills
Receptive and Expressive Language Q+A
Written By: Stephanie Hatleli, MS CCC-SLP
© 2020-2023. Stephanie Keffer, MS CCC-SLP. All Rights Reserved.
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