Introduction to A Naturalistic Approach to Language
This approach to oral language enables students to use practical and social language skills in a naturalistic setting. “The goal of activity based intervention is to develop functional and generalisable skills. Functional skills are those that most allow children to negotiate through their environment in ways that are satisfying and encourage independence. Generalisable skills are those that can be practiced and used in many different settings.” (Bricker and Cripe, 1992)
More than 2000 years ago Confucius observed, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
A naturalistic approach to language involves students in active physical participation. It offers support for students’ language, thinking and social development. As students develop physically and cognitively, and begin to explore their environment, they start to understand and use their growing language skills for an expanding range of purposes. (Love and Reilly, 2010)
