I have heard how many of you have made your own cheat sheets for declarative language (awesome!), and others have asked if I have one to share. I hadn’t yet made one, but there is no time like the present, right?

So… here is a cheat sheet for you to download, print, hang on your fridge or bulletin board, and share with others! The information comes directly from Declarative Language Handbook Chapter 8: The Nuts and Bolts - Constructing Declarative Statements and Chapter 10: The Importance of Pacing.

Importantly, keep in mind that the ideas on the cheat sheet are language options! You should pick and choose what is developmentally right for your learner, and a match for the situation at hand.

Declarative statements can be simple sentences (“Wow! It’s a dinosaur!”), or more complex (“I can tell you are thinking a lot about dinosaurs right now!”). They can be about the present (“Looks like you have math homework to do…”), or about the past (“I remember you had a lot of homework last night. So glad you got it done!”). We can use declarative language to celebrate (“We did it!”), and we can use it to plan for the future (“I am really looking forward to hanging out with you next week”).

There are so many ways to use declarative language, and as long as we use it with a “give over get” mindset, it will help us connect with each other, guide our learners in a positive way, and deepen our relationships. We all grow as a result.

Meet your learner where they are in each moment, and don’t be afraid to give it a try, no matter where they are at in their language development.

Have a great week!

Declarative Language Cheat Sheet

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