Communicative intent plays a pivotal role in a child’s language and communication developmental journey. One of the most essential aspects of a child’s development is their expansion of their communication skills. Enter the concept of “communicative intent.” This article will explain what communicative intent is, its significance in the communication process, and how parents can support its development.

Definition

Communicative intent refers to the use of language or language acts such as facial expressions, body movements, or gestures with the motivation and purpose to convey a message. In simpler terms, it’s doing something to communicate and need, want, feeling, or idea. Whether to ask for something, reject an offer, gain attention, or simply share emotions, every piece of communication is driven by an underlying intent.

Why is It Important?

Understanding and demonstrating communicative intent is foundational for effective communication. It forms the basis of interpersonal relationships and more symbolic forms of communication, allows for the expression of ideas and desires, and facilitates social interactions. Without this foundation, children might struggle to express themselves or interpret the messages of others.

Examples

1. Requesting: A child reaches toward or points to a toy indicating they want to play with it.
2. Rejecting: A child covers their mouth or pushes away a spoonful of food they don’t like.
3. Commenting: A child says, signs, or communicates with pictures or symbols, “big dog!” when seeing a large dog in the park.
4. Questioning: A child asks, signs, or uses picture or symbols to say, “Where mama?” when their mother is out of sight.

Acquisition and Demonstration

Most children naturally develop communicative intent as they grow. They start with non-verbal cues like crying, eye gaze, facial expressions, reaching, pointing, or pulling. Over time, they add verbal communication to their non-verbal acts by using words and sentences. Observing others, getting responses from others and encouragement for their efforts, imitation, and opportunities to practice play key roles in a child’s development.

Challenges

If a child faces delays or disorders in developing communicative intent, they may:

1. Struggle with expressing needs, ideas, and emotions, leading to frustration.
2. Find it difficult to understand the language and language acts of others, leading to social challenges.
3. Exhibit behavioral problems due to communication breakdowns.
4. Have difficulties in academic settings, related to understanding social cues and instructions or participating in group activities.

Supporting Your Child

Strategies for Parents

1. Active Listening: Always pay full attention and respond when your child tries to communicate. This validates and reinforces their intent and encourages them to communicate more.
2. Modeling: Use clear communication intent yourself. For instance, verbally narrate your actions, “I am drinking water because I’m thirsty.”
3. Encourage Non-verbal Cues: Celebrate and respond to your child’s use of gestures, facial expressions, and body language to communicate. These are acts of communicative intent.
4. Engage in Play: Playtime can be a powerful arena for modeling and supporting communicative intent. Interactions using ball, blocks, art supplies, music, dolls and other figures and props, puppets, storytelling, etc. can help your child to understand and use communicative intent.
5. Seek Professional Help: If you’re concerned about your child’s communicative intent and/or other aspects of their speech, language, and communication development, consider consulting a speech and language pathologist.

FAQs

1. What is communicative intent?
   • It is the purpose or motivation behind a person’s communication, either through language, facial expressions, or gestures.
2. Why is it vital?
   • It is important because it forms the foundation for effective communication, essential for expressing needs, understanding others, and building relationships.
3. Can a child with limited verbal skills have communicative intent?
   • Yes, children often use non-verbal cues like reaching, pointing, leading an adult, crying, or facial expressions before using words.
4. How can I support my child’s communication at home?
   • Engage in interactive play, encourage both verbal and non-verbal communication, and always listen actively with your eyes and ears when your child tries to communicate.
5. What professionals can help with communication development?
   • Speech and language pathologists specialize in assisting children with their communication development including the development of communicative intent.

Resources for Further Reading

1. Social Communication Benchmarks (asha.org)
2. Social Communication Benchmarks (asha.org)Social Communication Benchmarks (asha.org)Communicative Functions or Purposes of Communication: Articles: Indiana Resource Center for Autism: Indiana University Bloomington
3. What is Communicative Intent? – Goally Apps & Tablets for Kids (getgoally.com)

Summary/Conclusion

Communicative intent is a cornerstone of a child’s language and communication development. By understanding its significance and knowing how to support it, parents can play a pivotal role in helping their child become more effective communicators. Engaging with your child, modeling communication through verbal and non-verbal actions, and seeking professional support when needed can ensure your child’s communication skills keep moving forward.