Contents
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1. Why Your Kids Struggle With Math Word Problems
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2. Help your child overcome the fear of word problems
Have you noticed that your child’s homework contains more word math problems than ever before? Math word problems are regarded as a vital part of the mathematics curriculum, as it enhances the student’s mental skills, helps develop logical analysis and boosts creative thinking. Learning to solve math word problems from a young age provides the foundation students need to solve similar problems when they enter the workplace.
However, word problems are hard. Word problems are confusing. And our kids hate doing word problems. Whether your child excels in math or struggles to understand mathematical concepts and formulas, math word problems are often an entirely new entity that can cause even mathematically skilled children to struggle. Math word problems require a different skill set than standard math problems that children will need to master in order to succeed. To get the right answer, your child has to be able to read the words, figure out what math operation to use, and then do the calculations correctly. A breakdown in any of these skills can lead to difficulty.
If your child seems to be good at math but has trouble with word problems, here are possible reasons why—and ways you can help.
Why Your Kids Struggle With Math Word Problems
Children often struggle with math word problems because they require an ability to analyze information and extract only useful elements. Instead of being told directly what operation they need to do, they have to discover it themselves before they can even begin to figure out the solution. Students struggle with math word problems for many reasons, but there are 3 main problems that we at Everest Education find many students have encountered:
#Reason1: Trouble With Reading
To solve word problems, children have to read well. One reason your child may be struggling is that she has trouble with reading in general. How do you know if this is a difficult area for them? Try reading a word problem to your child. If your child gets the correct answer when you read it aloud, but not when reading the problem on their own, it could be a challenge with reading.
#Reason2: Trouble Understanding Math Phrases and Concepts
Even if kids are strong readers, they may have trouble picking up on clues in word problems. These clues are phrases that help students figure out what they need to do to solve the problem. Kids must translate these phrases into what teachers call “a number sentence.” Here’s a simple example of a word problem and its corresponding number sentence:
- Word problem: “Sue has two pencils. She spends one hour at the store and buys three more pencils. How many pencils does Sue have in all?”
- Number sentence: “2 + 3 = ____.”
Some kids can picture a number sentence like this one in their heads. Others need to write it down. Either way, there’s a lot to think about before getting to the point where you can calculate that the answer is 5. To turn a word problem into a number sentence, kids need to understand the language and concepts of math. For example, they need to know that the phrase “How many pencils in all?” means adding together the two groups of pencils. Some kids have a lot of trouble with this skill. That’s why a child who can easily calculate 2 + 3 = 5 might struggle with a word problem using the same calculation.
#Reason3: Trouble With Focus and Self-Control
Some kids can read a word problem and explain how it should be solved, but still, get the wrong answer. What’s going on? One reason could be trouble with focus and self-control. Kids may get distracted by the words or get lost in their heads. This can lead to confusion with the math. Other kids struggle with self-control and rush through the problem. They may skip important parts or make simple calculation mistakes. Extra information in word problems can trip kids up, too. Some details aren’t needed to solve the problem. For example, kids don’t need to know that Sue spent one hour in the store to figure out how many pencils she has. Kids need to learn to weed out this information.
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Help your child overcome the fear of word problems
Math problems can be a struggle and helping kids understand them isn’t always easy. Here we suggest parents some simple ways to help your child tackle math word problems with ease:
1. Utilize math in everyday life
Your child’s math homework may have a problem that involves going to the grocery store and figuring out a total bill, or baking in the kitchen following a new recipe. Try recreating this in real life and help your child learn to use math in practical ways. You can also make a game of it and show your child that math can be fun!
>> Find out some playful Math activities to play with your primary kids at home to enhance math learning: https://blog.e2.com.vn/playful-math-activities-for-your-primary-kids/
2. Teach your child a logical process
If your child is struggling with math word problems, teach her a logical process to go through to determine what needs to be done. These steps should be:
- Question – Read the problem to determine what the question is.
- Information – Determine what information you have.
- Clue words – What words tell you the math process to use.
- Equation – Use the information, question and clue words to write an equation.
- Check your work – Does your answer make sense compared to the given information and the question?
Once your child can learn to use this process on a regular basis, you will find that she has much more success with word problems.
3. Teach your child common keywords
Many students read a word problem and have no idea what to do with it. Yet most word problems at primary grade levels have clue words in them. Helping your child understand which words are associated with different mathematical functions can help steer her in the right direction to find the final answer. For instance, “and” usually indicates an addition problem, while “less than” may clue you into a subtraction problem and “product of” means you’ll need to multiply. That’s why parents should teach your child to identify those clue words, to help ease the struggle. Here are the basic clue words:
- Addition – Combined, increased, a total of, sum, added to, together, plus
- Subtraction – Minus, less, less than, fewer than, difference, decreased, take away, more than
- Multiplication – Multiplied, the product of, times, of
- Division – Divided by, into, per, the quotient of, percent, out of, the ratio of
Parents can make index cards with phrases that are commonly used in word problems. For example, one index card might show “in all” next to the “+” sign. Another card might show “all together” next to the “+” sign. When your child works on math homework, encourage your child to get into the habit of matching an index card to each phrase in a word problem.
>> To help your child quickly get along with basic math terms in English, click here to download our free printable flashcards, created by Everest Education’s math teachers.
Download Math flashcards
4. Use Manipulates or Diagrams
Sometimes visualizing the problem can give the student the tools needed to solve it. For problems with small amounts, you can use math manipulatives to help your child picture what is happening. For larger amounts or measurements, draw a diagram. This action gets additional learning processes involved and helps make the word problem a visual concept for the child to consider. You can also ask kids to close their eyes and try to picture what’s happening in the problem: “Imagine the first group of pencils joining together with the second group and forming one large group.”
Make it more concrete by using coins, toothpicks, or other objects. Use them to form the two small groups, and then combine them into one group. This is also one of many useful techniques that our teachers often apply in our math classes, where we use manipulatives such as paper, coins, building blocks as tangible objects to introduce new concepts, help students approach and solve problems. The key to making word problems solvable for your child is to make them understandable and then provide the right practice and support.
5. Improve your child’s ability to focus
Ask your child to read through the problem once. Then, have your child read it again, circling the important words and phrases. This is called active reading. It can help your child stay focused and avoid rushing. Another strategy is using blank pieces of paper to cover all the problems except the one your child is doing. You can also try making a list of things for your child to double-check.
>> Additionally, parents can learn more about 3 Reasons Why Your Child Does Not Stay Focused In School, as well as find out some Expert Tips to Improve Your Child’s Focus in Class from our old articles. Once you’ve tried a few of these suggestions, you might have an idea why your child is struggling with math word problems.
6. Practice, practice, practice!
How can your child become a better problem-solver? By solving more problems, of course! In order for a child to gain mastery of word problems, she needs practice. To get your child comfortable with the process of solving math word problems, you and your child can talk through how to solve the problem before she attempts to find the answer. There are a number of websites that offer free sample problems for your child to tackle. If she needs additional help, you can come to visit us at Everest Education, where we help students strategize and solve equations with confidence. We offer a personalized Singapore math program covering all math topics, including word problems, and provide personalized instruction to ensure that students make adjustments as needed when practicing.
Word problems are a big change from traditional math problems, and they require a different set of skills that children may not have developed yet. It can be tricky, but by developing a process and practicing on a regular basis, word problems will no longer be difficult. We hope these exercises can help develop your child’s logical and abstract thinking skills as well as help them strengthen her problem-solving abilities.
Reference:
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/math-issues/trouble-with-math-word-problems
http://www.sylvanlearning.com/blog/index.php/help-child-word-math-problems/
https://hellothinkster.com/blog/making-math-word-problems-accessible-for-fourth-graders/
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Whether your child excels in math or struggles to understand mathematical concepts and formulas, math word problems are often an entirely new entity that can cause even mathematically skilled children to struggle. Math word problems require a different skill set than standard math problems that children will need to master in order to succeed.
Why Children Struggle With Word Problems
Children often struggle with math word problems because they require an ability to analyze information and extract only the useful elements. Instead of being told directly what operation they need to do, they have to discover it themselves before they can even begin to figure out the solution. Because of this, children often struggle to solve word problems correctly and can become frustrated or disheartened with their work.
Strategies to Help Children With Word Problems
There is no instant trick to help children understand word problems, but there are a number of strategies and tips that can make the process easier. Consider the following strategies if your child is struggling to successfully solve word problems.
- Use highlighters to mark important information. Word problems are overwhelming, but you can help your child break the problem down by only highlighting the parts of the problem that matter to them. Teach them to highlight important numbers and key phrases in math problems so they can focus on what matters and forget the rest.
- Remove the numbers from the equation. Remember that word problems are difficult not because of the math involved but because children have difficulty extracting the correct information from the word problems. Give your child a word problem with the numbers blotted out. Once they’ve read it, ask them whether it’s a multiplication problem, a division problem, an addition problem, or a subtraction problem. This will help the two of you focus on the development of your child’s analytical skills without the distraction of having to solve the problem.
- Use visuals. Manipulates are a very valuable tool in teaching children math, and using them when you introduce word problems can give children something familiar to work with while they’re learning new material. Have them read a word problem and use the manipulates to lay out the numbers they see and use them to solve the problem.
Consistent Practice is Key
Word problems are a big change from traditional math problems, and they require a different set of skills that children may not have developed yet. Help your child develop their critical thinking and analytical skills through repetitive practice so they can succeed in math problems of all types.
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Topics:
Math Skills,
Parenting Tips,
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Last Updated on May 31, 2022 by Thinkster
When I was a middle school teacher, I used to ask my students how their other classes were going and what they had learned that day. On the days they shared that their math lesson focused on word problems, the accompanying grumbles and groans were clear indicators that they were far from happy with that day’s lesson.
I used to wonder what it was that really irked my students about word problems. After all, the same students that grumbled and groaned were the ones that used procedural, analytical, and thinking skills in science, language arts, and social studies.
Not only did they use these skills in other classes, but many of these students used these skills incredibly well and successfully!
If my own students could easily write a response on the effects of colonialism in Latin America, something that requires them to use strong thinking skills, then why did they struggle to use similar thinking skills with math word problems? Or worse, why did they think it was hard to solve math word problems?
The trouble is that many students typically associate math with computational problems and ‘quick facts’. Some hold onto a perception that analytical and critical thinking skills should be saved for essays or lab reports.
This is definitely not the case!
A strong math curriculum emphasizes developing analytical and conceptual thinking skills in students. These types of math problems require students to carefully plan, solve, and then check their work.
Students want to quickly work through their math problems, which often means that they make careless mistakes or struggle to understand what the problem is asking them to solve.
This can lead to massive frustration and why many students vehemently vocalize that they, “hate math word problems”.
There are two ways to combat this animosity and boost confidence when tackling math word problems. One, by ensuring your child knows different strategies and problem-solving tricks. Two, by having them practice different types of word problems frequently.
Thinkster Math tutors work with many students who struggle with math word problems. Together, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite tips and practice questions that you can use with your child.
Have your child organize their thinking
Before your child jumps in to try and solve a math word problem, they need to plan. This is often the step that students try and skip because they’re eager to finish their work quickly.
Not taking the time to carefully plan and dissect a word problem, though, can have your child feeling flustered when trying to solve it.
The planning process is incredibly important. It’s why authors take the time to outline and develop a plot before jumping in and writing a two hundred page novel. Planning allows for clarity and cohesive thoughts to develop.
This same planning process applies to math word problems.
As a first step, have your child identify what the problem is asking them to solve. Then, they should identify keywords and important details that are required to solve the problem. They can use highlighters, colored pencils, or even just a pen to underline or circle important information.
Identifying and understanding keywords and the order of operations in a word problem is a critical step!
Some kids also get confused by the different keywords and phrases used in word problems. In fact, some phrases might even have two meanings!
For example, using the words “increases by” could require using either addition or multiplication to solve the problem:
“There are 10 apples in a basket. The number of apples in the basket increases by 15. How many apples are there in all?”
“Johnny expects to pay $20 for his food, but the total bill increases by 7% because of tax. How much does Johnny need to pay?”
In the first word problem, your child simply adds 10 and 15 to get the answer. The second word problem requires multiplying $20 by 0.07, then adding that amount to $20.
These are two problems that use the same keyword, but require very different steps for solving!
This is why it’s great to practice keyword recognition with your child, and you can make flashcards for extra practice. For more helpful examples of keywords that your child should be able to identify, check out this link.
Encouraging your child to take the time to plan and organize their thinking by dissecting word problems helps them identify the details and operations required to solve. Finding this information helps your child as they start the next step of visualizing and illustrating the problem.
Solving math word problems with pictures
After your child identifies keywords within problems, the next step is to plan. There are many different types of strategies that your child can use. Creating illustrations, graphs, and diagrams are the most popular.
This is because many students are visual learners and benefit from using illustrations to help solve word problems. In fact, visual learners make up 65% of the students in a classroom.
Some math problems come with pictures or images for your child to refer to. For example:
This helps students learn and understand ways that they can organize their thinking to solve word problems.
Students also work with many word problems that do not come with any visuals or diagrams. This is why it’s a great idea to encourage your child to create their own images to help!
Here’s an example of how to use illustration to plan and solve a word problem:
There are 12 hens in a coop. Each hen lays 4 eggs a week. At the end of the week, Simon equally distributes and packs the eggs into 6 boxes. How many eggs are there in each box?
To solve this problem, your child will need to first calculate how many total eggs there are. Once they calculate 48 eggs (12 hens x 4 eggs each), they need to take this amount and divide it among 6 boxes. Your child can draw six boxes, then draw eggs into the boxes to visually represent how many eggs there are in each box.
Your child will develop strong problem-solving strategies as they grow accustomed to using charts and illustrations. This is also something that will help them as they tackle problems that involve patterns.
Solving math word problems with patterns
Another type of word problem that students encounter are problems with patterns.
For some students, these types of problems may seem difficult at first, especially if they are not taking the time to organize their thinking. But those that do take the time to use charts and visuals will find that there really is nothing to fear with pattern word problems!
Let’s try the following problem:
A bakery sells a different number of cakes each month. In March they sell 3 cakes, in April they sell 9 cakes, and in May they sell 27 cakes. If this pattern continues, how many cakes will they sell in July?
It’s not easy to try and figure out the answer mentally! This is why creating a chart helps students organize their thinking to reach the correct answer.
Once this information is displayed carefully, your child should be able to spot that they actually need to do two calculations. The word problem requires them to determine the number of cakes sold in July, but they can’t reach the answer without first determining how many cakes are sold in June.
Taking the time to carefully organize the data ensures that they do not miss this important step!
Here is another pattern word problem that you can have your child try to solve:
Robert adds chlorine tablets to a swimming pool every day to help keep it clean as more people come over to swim. On Monday he adds 3 tablets, on Tuesday he adds 5 tablets and on Wednesday he adds 7 tablets. If the pattern continues, how many chlorine tablets does he add on Thursday?
As your child solves the problem, make sure they underline keywords and important details, then organize their thinking with a chart! This is a great way to make sure they slow down when approaching the problem to minimize the risk of careless mistakes.
Solving math word problems with distractors
For students that try to sprint through solving word problems, distractors are often the reason they trip.
Which, quite honestly, is one of the reasons distractors are often thrown into word problems! They are meant to keep students on their toes and to ensure they are carefully reading what the problem is asking.
Distractors are words and information that are included in a problem, but really have nothing to do with it. It’s unnecessary information that students are expected to navigate around.
Thinkster Math CEO Raj Valli shares more on having students think on their feet with word problems that include distractors:
One tip that Thinkster tutors share with parents is to work on characterizing information and variables.
In the above video example, the problem requires students to determine how many fruits are in a basket. Characterizing all items in the basket and distinguishing between fruits and vegetables will ensure your child isn’t carelessly adding carrots into the final answer.
Here’s another example of a problem with a distractor that requires characterization:
A used car dealership has 91 cars and 29 trucks on the lot. Each day the dealership sells 13 cars. How many days would it take for all the cars to be sold?
A student that is rushing through the problem may add 91 and 29, then divide that amount by 13.
A student that takes the time to carefully dissect the problem will identify that there is a distractor.
As mentioned earlier, the first step is to understand what the word problem is answering. In this problem, your child needs to determine the number of days it takes to sell all cars at a dealership. By carefully characterizing the information, your child identifies that ‘29 trucks’ is information not needed to solve the problem.
Here is another word problem that you can have your child try solving:
Laura has invited 42 friends to her birthday. 18 friends are boys and 24 friends are girls. If she wants to give out 3 headbands to each of the girls, how many headbands will she have to buy?
Is your child able to pick out that “18 boys” is information not needed to solve the problem?
Having your child practice problems with distractors helps them spot this more quickly!
Get word problem practice and math help from an online math tutor
Along with following our tips and recommendations, one of the best ways for your child to grow more comfortable with solving word problems is by practicing.
A combination of exposure to different types of word problems along with frequent practice will help shift your child’s mentality when they tackle word problems. They should reach a point where they are no longer struggling, and instead have strong confidence when presented with a problem to solve.
While you can take the time to create your own word problems, there are online and digital tutoring programs, like Thinkster Math, that ensure your child is exposed to many different types of logical reasoning and critical thinking problems.
Thinkster Math’s world-class curriculum is packed with word problems!
We begin introducing word problems in our first-grade curriculum, which is on par with when students begin learning word problems in school. Introducing word problems at a young age ensures your child is developing strong problem-solving skills.
Thinkster also includes many real-world examples. Anchoring to real situations helps students understand and appreciate why they are solving word problems. It can also help them visualize what the problem is by asking them to solve it more easily.
Conclusion
Whether your child is grumbling and groaning about word problems at school or at home, it’s time to squash any frustration and animosity toward math word problems!
There are a few things that you can do at home to help your child grow more comfortable with word problems. Have them organize their thinking by marking problems with highlighters and work on keyword recognition.
It’s important to also have your child try different types of word problems so that they feel more prepared and ready to tackle what they’ll be learning in school! Try problems with and without visuals, patterns, and distractors to give them balanced preparation.
And remember, daily practice with a program like Thinkster Math can help! The combination of practice, video tutorials, and customized feedback can have your child become more confident in their ability to use using problem-solving strategies, and you will see incredible learning improvements in less than three months.
You can explore our curriculum and try more sample problems similar to the ones shared in this blog.
If you’re looking for to help your child, you can try Thinkster risk-free.
Thinkster provides a full-fledged platform (driven by AI, behavioral, and data science), as well as supplemental , help, , and more. Our Parent Insights App allows you to monitor your ‘s work and improvements at any time.
An elite, and system work together to help your go beyond just – we want them to master it.
Learn more about our curriculum and teaching style here.
Word problems can be intimidating and overwhelming for children and parents alike. They require children to read at grade level while solving a complex puzzle. Empower your child to tackle those tricky problems by teaching a systematic approach for solving them. Whether it’s a one-step or multi-step word problem, the simple strategies listed below will take the guesswork out of the equation. 😉
3-Step System
1. Read: Read the problem and decide what the question is asking.
- Read the problem 2 times or more.
- Underline or circle key words, phrases, and numbers. Draw a line through irrelevant information.
2. Plan: Think about what the story is asking you to do. What information are you given, and what do you need to find out?
- Draw a picture.
- Circle or underline key words. (Use highlighters or crayons to color-code key numbers and phrases.)
- Write out the question in your own words.
3. Solve: What strategy could you use to find the missing information: addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?
- Write a number sentence and solve.
- Use counters.
- Create charts.
Check your work by explaining your reasoning. Does your answer make sense?
Download this free strategy checklist from Math Fundamentals to help your child solve word problems. 
Different Strategies to Solve Word Problems
Everyone learns in a different way. What makes sense to one individual often isn’t the easiest option for another. Incorporating different strategies to solve word problems can help your child discover what strategy works best for him or her. A few tips to use are:
1. Circle numbers in a story and underline key phrases.
Color coding is a fun method to incorporate to help children decide what operation the question is asking for. Assign a color to each operation and highlight the phrase that identifies it. For example, red links to addition and blue links to subtraction.
2. Incorporate a key word list.
Key word lists are best used for teaching younger children how to solve word problems. As math curriculum advances, children should not be dependent on a key word list to solve a problem. The questions get trickier.
Addition
In all
Together
Total
Altogether
Combine
Sum
Join
Subtraction
Difference
Fewer
How many more
How much more
Left
Remain
Less
3. Visuals
If your child is a visual learner, drawing a picture or using counters can help him or her understand what the problem is asking. Use number lines, charts, or counters or draw a picture.
4. Write your own word problem.
Knowing what is needed to write a word problem is the first step in identifying key words to solve a story. Take turns writing your own word problems with your child and exchange them to solve.
5. Stay organized.
It is important to write clearly and keep work space neat so children can read and follow their own computations. Many children need a separate piece of paper to allow them enough space to solve and understand their answer. Graphing paper is a great option to help students record neat work.
Download this free sample word problem from Math Fundamentals, grade 1.
How to solve a two-step word problem
In a two-step word problem children are being asking to solve two related equations. These can get tricky for children to understand when they transition from one-step to two-step problems. Help your child understand his or her relationships within two-step word problems with these strategies:
1. Circle important information.
Circle numbers and important phrases that ask questions. The number sentences needed to solve these equations are hidden in those asking questions. Identify the first and second questions needed to solve.
2. Distinguish the two parts of the problem.
First identify the first step of the first part of the word problem. Write a number sentence and solve.
3. Use the answer from the first-step solution to the whole problem.
Use the answer from the first question to help you solve the next equation. What operation does the second question require?
Check your work by explaining your reasoning. What was the question answered? Is the answer reasonable for the question being asked?
Download this free sample two-strategy word problem from Math Fundamentals, grade 2
Download this free sample multi-strategy word problem from Math Fundamentals, grade 4
Evan-Moor’s Math Fundamentals is a great resource for training students how to solve word problems in 3 simple steps. It provides step-by-step directions for solving questions and guides children with helpful visuals and key phrases.
Check out Daily Word Problems for consistent practice solving word problems.
For more fun math tips and strategies check out our Math- Ideas, Activities and Lessons Pinterest Board.
Save these tips and Pin It now!
Heather Foudy is a certified elementary teacher with over 7 years’ experience as an educator and volunteer in the classroom. She enjoys creating lessons that are meaningful and creative for students. She is currently working for Evan-Moor’s marketing and communications team and enjoys building learning opportunities that are both meaningful and creative for students and teachers alike.
Sometimes a person can understand certain
words but have trouble thinking of and using the word themselves. A
speech pathologist can help diagnose if a child has problems with
this. They can then help a child in several ways, depending on
how old the child is, how severe the problem is and any other
problems the child may
have.
What is it?
A ‘word retrieval difficulty’ or ‘word finding
problem’ is when a person knows and understands a particular
word, but has difficulty retrieving it and using it in their
speech. This is similar to when we feel that a word (for example a
name) is on the tip of our tongue. Children may not
be able to find the word at all, they might retrieve a word that
sounds similar to the one they want or they might produce nonsense
words (neologisms) .
In the classroom, a child with a word finding problem may have
difficulty expressing their knowledge. They may appear not to know
the answers when asked questions that need retrieval of specific
facts. For instance, they may have difficulty relating character or
people’s names, locations, dates or other specific facts. Their
conversation may be brief or include word repetitions,
substitutions, empty words, time fillers and delays.
For some people with an acquired brain injury, word retrieval
difficulties can be a significant problem, making it very difficult
to communicate clearly and competently. A child with an acquired
brain injury will also have greater problems with finding the right
word when they are tired or stressed.
Symptoms
A child may:
- have a good understanding of words but a poor
expressive vocabulary - talk around the word or explain the word they
cannot find, for example ‘You know, the thing I brush my hair with’ - use non-specific words such as thing,
there, that one, him, stuff. They may over-use general
words, such as good, big - over-use words such as um or
ah - substitute words with a close meaning, for example they might say spoon instead of
fork. Or may use words that sound the same, for example
they might say hair instead of share - use obvious word searching behaviors such as
using um a lot, for example ‘ball, book, um, um, um
bike’ - have lots of pauses in their speech and may
take a long time to answer a question - rarely use ‘content’ words. For example, instead of saying ‘I got the book from her’ they may say ‘I got it from her’
Diagnosis
A speech pathologist can assess if a child has
specific word retrieval or other difficulties with their language
development.
Treatment
There are several ways to help a child with
word finding difficulties. These generally depend on:
- how severe the problem is
- how old the child is
- if the child is very aware of the
problem - other underlying cognitive and communication
disorders
A speech pathologist can recommend the best
ways to help each individual child. Some general techniques are
outlined below:
- support the child’s efforts in everyday
interactions - provide help online as necessary
- encourage them to search for the specific
word, rather than talk in a roundabout way and skirt around it - encourage them to think of the sound the word
starts with - if they are unable to think of the sound,
help their retrieval by offering the first sound in the word, for example ‘b’ for ball. Or offer the initial syllable for the word for example, ‘bir’ for bird - give the child clues. For example, ‘It looks like’, ‘It’s used to do’
- encourage description of the object. For
example, ‘What does it look like?’, ‘What do we do
with it? - offer a gesture. For example, drinking
movement for milk - use a sentence completion strategy, for
example, ‘Grass is…’
Key points to remember
- A ‘word retrieval difficulty’ or ‘word finding problem’ is when
a person knows and understands a particular word, but has
difficulty retrieving it and using it in their speech. - A speech pathologist can assess if a child has specific word
retrieval difficulties or is possibly having other difficulties
with their language development. - There are several ways to help, depending on the age of the
child and how severe the problem is.
For more information
- The Royal Children’s Hospital
Paediatric Rehabilitation Service
T: (03) 9345 9300
E: rehab.service@rch.org.au - The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Brain injury Service
- Kids
Health Info series of fact sheets listed
under ‘Brain injury’
Developed by The Royal Children’s
Hospital Paediatric Rehabilitation Service based on information from the Brain
Injury Service at Westmead Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of RCH
consumers and carers.
Reviewed September 2020.
Kids Health Info is supported by
The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au.