Here's a Way to Support Reading Comprehension Goals in Speech-Language Therapy: Figurative Language

As language specialists, we can often see the language-based causes behind kids who are struggling to comprehend what they read. This is part 2 of a 4-part series on how we can support our students' reading comprehension goals.

Figurative language is language that conveys meaning in a way that differs from its literal meaning. Examples of figurative language include similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

Over the years, I've come to realize just how difficult figurative language can be for my students. Idioms, or "sayings," as I call them with my students, can be especially perplexing. Just this week, I saw a student read a passage that stated that a character "has great taste." When I asked the student what she thought that meant, she told me it meant that the character really likes her food.

Imagine trying to navigate daily life taking common idioms like "off the hook," "rule of thumb," "do the trick," "big deal," "let it go," "under the weather," etc., literally. How confusing would your world be?!

Many of the kids on our caseloads in speech-language therapy are likely to take idioms literally, including kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). (For 6 important facts SLPs should know about DLD, see this post.) Recognition and comprehension of figurative language requires a flexibility with language that does not always come easily to some kids. What makes matters even more challenging is most people aren't conscious that they're using figurative language, and are therefore unaware of the potential comprehension pitfalls that result. Comprehension of figurative language is key to students' understanding of both conversational language and reading, especially fiction.

Whenever a teacher shares a text they'll be reading with students, or whenever I am previewing texts for potential use with my students, one of my priorities is to keep an eye out (😉) for idiomatic language and other types of figurative language like metaphors. This gives me plenty of opportunities to focus on figurative language in speech-language therapy.

My strategies to support comprehension of figurative language in speech-language therapy

For my students who struggle to comprehend figurative language, I have a few different go-to strategies in my tool belt. For idioms, I'll often use the script, "That's a 'saying.' A 'saying' sounds like one thing, but it means something different." I'll use this "Sayings" graphic organizer with them as we explore its meaning. (This is one of several key StoryWhys graphic organizers - you can learn more about them here.) This book companion for Bravo, Amelia Bedelia! is a fun way to examine idioms/sayings, as well as the misunderstandings that can happen when they're taken literally.

Another tool I use to support my students' comprehension of figurative language is Venn diagrams for metaphors. We use storybooks like Come On, Rain! and Last Stop on Market Street to work on the meanings of the many metaphors in these books. If we can find out what the two elements have in common, the meaning of the metaphor can be inferred.

In my experience, once my students become aware that language isn't always so black-and-white, their reading comprehension really improves!

To explore a bunch of sayings, get the free download for The Big Orange Splot on the free downloads page.

LEVEL UP YOUR SPEECH THERAPY ACTIVITIES WITH STORYWHYS

Did you know book companions can be among the best speech-language therapy materials for elementary students? Explore all of the StoryWhys book companions for speech therapy in my store. You'll find comprehensive book companions that target many different language skills or Spotlight Series book companions that focus on one type of skill, all using high-quality, beloved storybooks.

For quick videos to help you get the most from StoryWhys book companions, check out the YouTube channel here.

And get your FREE, 71-page book companion for speech therapy on the free downloads page.

Enjoy!