My son tends to leave out details in conversation, how can I help him?
To be more specific with details and descriptions, encourage your son to “read” wordless picture books to you. You can also use picture books with text, as long as the pictures are detailed/expressive themselves. This works best with Caldecott Medal/Honor Books because a child who can not read can tell these stories independently by looking at the pictures. Caldecott books can be found at your local library or where children’s books are sold. Try Books of Wonder in Manhattan.
Caldecott Favorites
Wordless Picture Books
Listen to your child tell the story. If you feel he leaves out important information, ask an open-ended, leading question (e.g., “OOOO – What’s happening over here?”). If he can’t describe what’s happening, describe it for him. Perhaps this will increase his awareness that he needs to be more specific, or when he reads it to you tomorrow or next week, he’ll include that information. Have fun!
Stephanie Sigal M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech therapist in NYC.