About this resource
Building sentences from parts makes structure visible. These cards provide who, doing, what and where word cards. Children combine them to make sentences, starting with two parts and building to four, with partner tips for modelling and expanding.
Purpose
To support children to build longer, more complete sentences.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Speech pathologists. Also relevant for educators and school support staff.
Client or participant group: Children building sentence structure, including those with language difficulties.
Practice setting: Speech pathology sessions, classrooms and home practice.
Suggested uses
- Speech pathology sessions
- Small group language work
- Home practice
- Writing support
Instructions for practitioners
- Start with two-part sentences and build up.
- Model the sentence, then let the child build it.
- Use pictures or real actions alongside the cards.
- Add the child's own words on blank cards.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Pick a who card and a doing card.
- Say your sentence.
- Add what and where.
Accessibility considerations
Add pictures. Print on card and laminate.
Scope and limitations
A learning activity. It does not assess language. Targets should be set by a speech pathologist.
Research basis
Parent-implemented language strategies and interactive shared reading support children's language development.
- Mol, S. E., Bus, A. G., de Jong, M. T., & Smeets, D. J. H. (2008). Added Value of Dialogic Parent–Child Book Readings: A Meta-Analysis. Early Education and Development, 19(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409280701838603
- Roberts, M. Y., & Kaiser, A. P. (2011). The Effectiveness of Parent-Implemented Language Interventions: A Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 180–199. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2011/10-0055)
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
