The Communication Pyramid

 When we think about children’s communication, it is natural to focus on spoken words. However, talking is only one part of a much bigger picture. The Communication Pyramid helps us understand the foundations that support speech and language development. Although the skills are shown in levels, children do not necessarily progress through them in a fixed order. Skills often develop alongside one another, and every child’s communication journey is different.

Attention, listening and regulation

At the base of the pyramid is a child’s ability to feel calm, connected and ready to engage.

Children may find it difficult to listen, play or communicate when they are tired, overwhelmed, anxious or dysregulated. Before expecting a child to talk, it is helpful to consider whether they feel safe, comfortable and able to attend.

Adults can support this foundation by reducing distractions, following the child’s interests and allowing movement or sensory breaks when needed.

Play and interaction

Children learn a great deal about communication through play and enjoyable interaction with other people.

Play helps children practise:

  • Sharing attention

  • Taking turns

  • Anticipating what might happen next

  • Copying actions

  • Using imagination

  • Noticing and responding to other people

Simple activities such as bubbles, rolling a ball, singing action songs or sharing a favourite book can all create valuable opportunities for interaction.

Understanding language

Before children can use words and sentences confidently, they need opportunities to make sense of the language they hear.

Understanding language includes recognising familiar words, answering questions and following instructions. Adults can help by using short, clear sentences, adding gestures or visual supports, repeating important words and giving children plenty of processing time.

Using language

Children use language for many different reasons—not only to ask for things.

They may communicate to:

  • Make a choice

  • Ask for help

  • Protest or say “no”

  • Share an idea

  • Comment on something interesting

  • Tell us how they feel

Language may be expressed through speech, signs, pictures, gestures, pointing, looking or an AAC system. All of these are meaningful forms of communication and should be acknowledged.

Speech sounds and talking

At the top of the pyramid are the spoken words that we hear.

Producing clear speech requires children to coordinate many skills. They need to choose their words, organise them into a message and plan the precise movements required to produce each speech sound.

When a child is finding talking difficult, it is therefore important to look at the whole pyramid—not only their pronunciation or number of spoken words.

Supporting the foundations

Strong communication is built from the bottom up, but this does not mean that children must completely master one level before developing skills at another. The different areas overlap and influence one another.

By helping children feel regulated and connected, joining them in enjoyable play, supporting their understanding and responding to every form of communication, we create strong foundations on which speech and language can continue to grow.

Wendy Austin – Speech & Language Therapist
www.wendyaustinsalt.co.uk

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