Use Cloze Statements to Encourage your Child to Use New Words
As parents, we’re always looking for ways to help our little ones grow and thrive. If your toddler is a late talker, or just learning to string words together, there’s a simple yet powerful strategy you can use: cloze statements.
What Are Cloze Statements?
Cloze statements are incomplete phrases that encourage your child to fill in the blank. These statements model language while giving your child the chance to practice using words.
For example, instead of saying, “Look, it’s a ball,” you might say:
“Look, it’s a big __!”
Your child can then respond with, “ball!”
This technique works because it provides a verbal framework and takes the pressure off your child to come up with full sentences. It also introduces new vocabulary and reinforces familiar words in a fun, interactive way.
Why Are Cloze Statements Effective?
Cloze statements:
Reduce pressure: They make it easier for your child to join the conversation by offering predictable prompts.
Encourage participation: Your child feels encouraged to respond, even if it’s just a single word.
Reinforce language skills: Repeating and completing phrases helps solidify your child’s understanding of words and their context.
What are some examples of Cloze Statements?
Here are some practical ways to use cloze statements in everyday activities:
During Playtime
Play is one of the best times to introduce cloze statements! Try these:
While building blocks: “Ready, set, __!” (go)
With toy animals: “The cow says __.” (moo)
Playing cars: “The car goes __!” (vroom)
During Mealtimes
Mealtime is full of opportunities for language modeling:
“Do you want milk or __?” (juice)
“Here’s your spoon and __.” (fork)
“Mmm, this apple is __.” (yummy)
During Books and Songs
Books and songs naturally lend themselves to cloze statements because of their repetitive and predictable patterns:
Reading: “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you __?” (see)
Singing: “Twinkle, twinkle, little __.” (star)
Nursery rhymes: “The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the __.” (spout)
Throughout the Day
Use cloze statements in your everyday routines:
Getting dressed: “First your shirt, then your __.” (pants)
Outside: “Look, a bird is in the __!” (tree)
Cleaning up: “Let’s put the toys in the __.” (box)
Tips for Success
To make the most of cloze statements, keep these tips in mind:
Pause and wait: After you say the cloze statement, give your child a moment to respond. They may need extra time to process.
Keep it fun and light: Avoid pressuring your child to answer. If they don’t respond, model the answer for them and try again later.
Celebrate attempts: Whether your child responds with the correct word or a close approximation, celebrate their effort!
Need Extra Support?
If your toddler is struggling with language development, we’re here to help! At Utter Success Speech Services, we offer mobile speech therapy in Savannah, GA, and online services in Georgia, California, Florida, Utah, and Oregon.
Our personalized approach focuses on fun, functional strategies like cloze statements to help your child build communication skills and confidence.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your little one’s language journey.