Constructing Complex Sentences

One of the main aspects that distinguishes early elementary language (K-2) from later elementary language (Grades 3-5) is the use of complex sentences. In later elementary, it is important for students to start using sentences with more embedded clauses and conjunctions.

Don't worry - you don't need to be a grammar nerd to help your child with these sentences in daily routines. Instead, you can try the following activities to increase sentence complexity -

1. Reading together, with a highlighter - when your child is reading his / her favorite comic or middle grade book series, add in a small challenge. Ask them to just highlight sentences with the following words: although, because, before, after. Just the act of noticing and highlighting these sentences makes them easier to construct with time

2. Editing together - this is a nice simple way to help your child with writing assignments while still preserving your child's style and overall approach. Before submitting, take a moment to look over the paragraphs your child has written. And gently show your child how simple sentences can be combined by just adding a comma and a "linking word" to sound even more sophisicated. Your child does not have to change the sentences on the paper. But this is a practical hands on way to practice

3. Work on embedded clauses, with who, and that, by pointing out things, or people, in your environment during car rides, or shopping trips. "I like the shirt THAT has the pony on the front" or "the woman who helped us near the fitting room was very polite." Just adding more of these sentences, intentionally, during set - aside times, can make the sentence structure more comfortable, and therefore more likely to be used.

And finally - check out Smarter Speech SLP's worksheets on constructing complex sentences!

1. With embedded clauses - "who" and "that"

2. with conjunctions / joining words "after", "although", and "but"

3. with conjunctions / joining words "while", "when" and "because"

Happy Talking!

Disclaimer : Smarter Speech is a pediatric speech therapy / speech-language pathology practice for toddlers and children providing in-home and teletherapy services in and around Mountain View, CA and Los Gatos, CA. Smarter Speech Blog aims to provide free speech and language tips for parents educators and therapists. However, this post is not providing speech-language pathology services. This is general information, not speech -language pathology or speech therapy. This article does not assume or create a client – SLP relationship. The author is not liable for any losses or damages due to actions or failure to act based on the content in this article. If you need assistance with a child’s speech or language needs, please contact a speech-language pathologist in your area.