Parent Corner: Functional WH-Questions
WH- questions, unlike yes/no questions, are open-ended questions. WH- questions require responses that can easily exceed one-word in length. By implementing modeling and expansion techniques, longer utterances can be developed. Yes/no questions require only a yes or no response.
Wh-questions are a great way to help build your child’s language skills at home. How can you practice wh-questions without the worry of spending extra time with homework, after a long day of work? Utilize daily routines, topics of interest, hobbies, or family activities to implement these questions throughout your day.
- As an example, we can discuss an orange.
Who grows oranges?
What do you do with an orange?
Where do oranges grow?
When do you eat oranges?
Why do you eat oranges?
How do oranges grow?
- A second example, we can discuss school.
Who helps us learn?
What did you learn about at school?
Where did you go after school?
When do you eat lunch?
Why do you go to school?
How do you get to school?
If you or someone you know needs the services of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, please be sure to discuss your concerns with a physician, a speech-language pathologist, or another qualified provider. You can also find a provider through the ASHA ProFind service or visit us at www.bilingualspeech.org for more information. NOTE: This article is intended only as a general source of information, i.e., it is not intended to replace information given to you by a qualified health professional that is familiar with your particular circumstances. If you have an urgent medical need, please seek immediate medical attention.