When it comes to picking potential gestalts to model to your gestalt language processors, there are a few things to keep in mind that will greatly increase your success.
Using these basic structures are a great starting point, but it might still be a bit overwhelming to know where to go from there. Especially if you're new to the whole concept of gestalt language processing and are just getting started with modeling language in this new way.
Perhaps you need a bit more guidance. Well, that's where these tips for picking potential gestalts come into play.
Below you will find some suggestions of things to keep in mind when you start to model gestalts to a gestalt language processor. And, don't forget that when you have a hyperlexic learner, in particular, you want to write potential gestalts down for them. Consider that your bonus tip.
Tips for Picking Potential Gestalts
Here are some things you should consider when thinking about potential gestalts in stage 1:
1. Gestalts should sound natural. That means they should make sense for the situation and even be age appropriate and kid-friendly (see tip #7 for more on that). For example, you wouldn't model something like, "Shall we commence our drawing activity?" when "Let's draw!" or "Wanna draw?" is much more natural sounding. Besides, children are more likely to use language that feels natural and comfortable to them.
2. Gestalts should be meaningful and relevant to the gestalt language processor. If they're not meaningful or relevant, then they likely won't stick.
3. Gestalts should be tailored to the gestalt language processor's interests and what gestalts they already have. Not only does this increase engagement and aid in retention, but it makes the gestalts more meaningful to them.
- Not sure what gestalts they already have? Consider tracking their echolalia. Learn more about why you should track echolalia here and get tips for tracking echolalia here.
4. Gestalts should be modeled from the child's perspective (e.g., I), a joint perspective (e.g., we or let's), and/or a neutral perspective (e.g., it's or that's). These perspectives help kids learn to advocate for themselves, communicate feelings, promote social interaction, narrate and comment, describe the world around them, and so much more.
- You might also want to read up on declarative language and why it's useful to learn more.
5. Gestalts should avoid using "you" and your" to avoid pronoun reversals and confusion. Remember, gestalt language processors will echo back things exactly as they hear them.
6. Gestalts should consider and cover a wide range of communicative functions, such as protesting, commenting, asking for help, and so on. Doing so will give the child a wide range of ways to communicate and make it easier for them to communicate effectively.
7. Gestalts should be age appropriate and use kid-friendly language. It's okay to say things like "wanna" or "hafta" or "gotta" because that's how kids their age would typically talk. Also, it is worth noting that age appropriate language often tends to be simpler and easier to understand.
8. Gestalts should be easy to mix and match or trim down in later stages of Natural Language Acquisition. The goal is to try and build a flexible foundation that will grow with your child.
9. While gestalts can take the form of questions, it's important to note that they shouldn't be used for eliciting answers until later stages of Natural Language Acquisition. For example, question gestalts such as "What's next?" or "What's that?" are pretty useful and versatile. On the other hand, something like "What sound does a cat make?" isn't particularly useful as a gestalt and can be stressful for some kids because it involves a demand. We want to use questions without expecting answers.
10. Questions and answers can be modeled as a unit. For example, "Where is it? There it is!" can be a great one to model because it's helpful for a wide variety of situations.
Need More Help with Picking Potential Gestalts? Grab this Bundle!
Tips like the ones above are nice and all, but sometimes it's helpful to have more concrete examples of potential gestalts to model, right? Well, that's where this bundle of example gestalts for NLA stage 1 comes in handy!
You'll find tons of potential gestalts to model for a wide variety of settings and activities, from potty training to bedtime and everything in between. Plus, you will find a copy of the above tips in the bundle as well.
Grab your copy of the potential gestalts bundle
Need More Help with Modeling Gestalts? Grab this Ebook!
Feel like you need a bit more guidance when it comes to modeling gestalts? Then the Gestalt on the Go Handbook is for you!
Or, if you're a teacher, then check out Intro to Gestalt Language Processing for Teachers.
Inside both of these handbooks, you'll get 10 quick tips for supporting your gestalt language processor at home (or in the classroom). You can use coupon code DYAN to get 10% off.
Grab your copy of the Gestalt on the Go Handbook
Grab your copy of the Intro to GLP for Teachers Handbook
Hopefully, these tips for picking potential gestalts will help make it easier to start supporting your gestalt language processors at home, at school, or in therapy.
