What is Recasting and How to Use It as a Parent
A recast is a repeat of what a child said, but the adult includes an addition that adds meaning or corrects what the child has said. Recasting is a form of modeling correct language form, and the recast formed by the adult holds the same meaning as what the child initially said. A recast can be corrective but doesn’t have to be.
Imitation is not required for recasting, and it shouldn’t be prompted. Recasts should be developmentally appropriate but incorporate elements that the child hasn’t yet mastered.
How Does Recasting Work?
A recast is said by the adult immediately after a child states something. A child can start out by saying something simple like “doll need dress,” and this statement can be recast as “You’re right, the doll does need a dress.” This immediate recast repeats the basic meaning of what the child said, but presents the statement in the correct form, allowing the child to recognize the difference. Since the child isn’t expected to respond to what is being said or correct their form, they have time to process this difference and over time acquire the correct language form.1 There is no negative pressure on the child for speaking with the wrong form, rather they have time to analyze and acquire language as they grow and develop.
Examples
Emphasize the words you are adding or correcting.
· “Purple flower” becomes “The purple flower is very pretty.”
· “Want toy” becomes ”I want the toy.”
· “Their is playing” becomes “They are playing.”
· “I want slide” becomes ”I want to go down the slide!”
· “Him want orange” becomes ”Do he want an orange?”
· “I see zebra” becomes “I see a zebra too.”
Check out some other strategies for language development like verbal routines, interactive book reading, and communication temptations to help your child develop their language skills!