Yes and No Questions Speech Therapy: A Parent’s 3-Step Guide
Every day that our patients confuse yes with a no, it creates frustration and tantrums because of misunderstandings. Every mom wants to see her child communicate effectively and confidently. Our Yes and No Questions Speech Therapy guide offers an easy-to-follow, three-step method designed just for you. With 200 questions, this guide is your perfect partner in helping your child master yes and no responses, leading to a clearer and happier conversations.
Summary
I help kids learn to answer yes and no questions in three easy steps. First, I use their favorite and least favorite things to ask questions. If they don’t answer, I show them how by saying “yes” or “no.” For kids who repeat everything, I use pictures with "yes" and "no," thumbs up and thumbs down, and nodding or shaking their heads. Second, I ask questions about what is happening right now, like "Are you eating an apple?" Sometimes, I use full sentences like "Yes, I am," or "No, I am not." Last, I ask about things that happened earlier, like "Did you eat eggs for breakfast?" I know it can be harder to remember things from earlier, so I help them as needed. Using songs or simple phrases can also help kids answer yes and no questions.
Step 2: Ask About the Present
Next, ask questions about what is happening right now. For instance, "Are you eating an apple?" or "Is this chair blue?" If your child finds it easier to speak in full sentences, encourage them to answer with phrases like "Yes, I am," or "No, I am not" from this kids' song.
Step 3: Discuss Past Events
Finally, ask questions about things that happened earlier in the day. Examples include, "Did you eat eggs for breakfast?" or "Did you go to grandma’s house today?" Remember, the further back in time the event, the harder it might be for your child to answer.
How to Ask Yes or No Questions
When formulating yes or no questions for kids, it's important to keep the language simple and the structure clear. Here are some fundamental ways to structure yes or no questions:
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Using "Is" or "Are" for Present Simple Questions
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Example: "Is this your toy?" or "Are you hungry?"
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Using "Do" or "Does" for Present Simple Questions
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Example: "Do you like apples?" or "Does your dog bark?"
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Using "Can" for Ability Questions
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Example: "Can you swim?" or "Can you reach the shelf?"
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Using "Did" for Past Simple Questions
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Example: "Did you finish your homework?" or "Did you see the cat?"
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Using "Have" or "Has" for Past Questions
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Example: "Have you seen my keys?" or "Has he finished his meal?"
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Step 1: Use Favorite and Least Favorite Items
Start with things your child likes and dislikes. For example, you can use their favorite juice and ask, "Would you like some juice?" If your child doesn’t answer right away, you can model the response by saying, "Yes, I want juice," or "No, I don’t want juice."
For children who repeat what you say (echolalia), try these strategies:
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Visuals: Show pictures with "yes" and "no" and let your child point to the correct one.
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Gestures: Use thumbs up for yes and thumbs down for no.
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Body Language: Teach your child to nod for yes and shake their head for no.