Kids often have more trouble finding words when they’re stressed. Let them know it’s OK to get “stuck” or to make mistakes with words sometimes. Give them plenty of time to respond, and don’t put them on the spot.
Quick tip 2
Find a similar word.
Find a similar word.
Ask, “Can you think of another word that’s similar to the word you’re thinking of?”
Quick tip 3
Use descriptions.
Use descriptions.
Encourage kids to close their eyes and describe what they see when they’re trying to think of the word.
We’ve all had that frustrating, tip-of-the-tongue moment, when the word we need just won’t come to us. We know the word. We’ve used the word. And we’re sure it’s in our head somewhere. This is known as trouble with word finding, or word retrieval.
We tend to associate this challenge with adults, especially as they get older. But kids can have word finding problems, too.
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Like adults, all kids have trouble with this once in a while. But some kids struggle with this a lot. And it can be very frustrating for them.
Sometimes word retrieval difficulties can be a sign of something else. Word finding can be hard for kids with language disorders or those who struggle with reading, like kids with dyslexia.
Problems with word retrieval can also be a sign that kids are struggling with focus. It’s also common in kids who have had a brain injury, like a concussion.
Dive deeper
Here are some ways you might know kids are struggling with word retrieval. They might:
Pause a lot and use “filler words” like uh or um
Talk around the word using long or vague descriptions, like “Where is the thing I like to use in my hair?”
Mispronounce the word, like saying appet when they mean apple
Say a word that has a similar meaning but sounds different, like saying chair when they mean couch
Say a word that sounds similar but has a different meaning, like saying elephant when they mean elevator
If you’re noticing signs like these, you may also want to keep an eye on signs of dyslexia.
Dyslexia can cause kids to have trouble finding the right word. That can be because they have a hard time bringing to mind the exact sound combination for that word. They might say a wrong word that sounds similar to the right word.
Other times, they struggle to find the word and will “talk around it.” They can have this same struggle when writing, too.
Look for patterns. Are there certain times or situations when kids have trouble finding the right word? For example, does it happen most often when they’re tired?
If you’re a family member, learn how to take notes about what you’re observing. Then share this information with your child’s teacher or healthcare provider.
If you’re an educator, share your observations with the child’s family. You can also turn to your school’s speech-language pathologist for helpful tips.
Relax and reassure.
