WH Question Materials
Create and Answer

Asking and answering WH (who, what, where, when, why, how) questions can be difficult for many children who have a development language disorder (DLD). In fact, answering WH questions is a VERY COMMON goal for many children.

However, there isn't a lot of guidance on how to teach the skill besides using visual cue cards. Therefore, I made some new materials using the current research.

Keep reading to find out more on my WH questions no-print resources.

WH Questions Background

To answer WH questions, it takes a lot of different language skills. A person must:

understand the question word
understand the grammar of the question
understand each vocabulary word (not just the question word)
makes sense of the information and the social context
formulate a response
put the words together (syntax & semantics)
give a response

With these materials, I focused on

understanding the grammar of the question (syntax).
answering the question (semantics & syntax)
creating and answer questions. It is important that the child knows how to ASK & ANSWER WH questions, instead of simply answering questions.

WH Questions - Materials

Current evidence supports that idea that explicit teaching is necessary for the initial teaching phase while implicit teaching helps with generalization. Therefore, with these materials, I focus on explicit teaching. Instead of just asking WH questions during a story or in conversation, I delve into each question word and fit in a lot of reps.

The materials I created here are for learning how to formulate questions as well as answer WH questions.

The materials have:

Pictures (this is very important since I want to focus on syntax not semantics and auditory recall, one thing at a time)
Varying levels of difficulty (I start with a simple sentence scramble and then move up to creating and answering questions)
no-print options. Since teletherapy is necessary at the moment, I made these materials using Google Slides. However, the interactiveness of the materials are NECESARY! You will see why in a minute.

How To Use Materials

First, I have simple "unscramble sentences" for each question word:

who
what
where
when
why

These materials must be used in "edit mode" to work. The child can create WH questions, practice syntax, and practice repeating the questions. This level of practice has the most amount of cues.

Second, I challenge the student to create a WH question and then answer it! Currently, as part of the membership program, I have the following decks completed:

where
when
who
what doing
why - coming soon!

These materials must be used in "present mode" to work. You can click on on the screen to have a word appear as a cue or to check answers!

Free Sample

If you would like a free sample of an unscramble deck, click the link below

Who - Scrambled Sentences

If you would like a free sample of a "write and answers questions", click the link below

Who - Write and Answer

If you are a member of Speech Therapy Talk's Membership Site, please click this link to access the following materials:

who - unscramble
what - unscramble
where - unscramble
when - unscramble
why - unscramble
where - write and answer
when - write and answer
who - write and answer
what doing - write and answer
why - write and answer - coming soon!
and SO MUCH MORE!

To become a member (it is easy and actually AFFORDABLE), click the link below

Become a member of Speech Therapy Talk

Bridget is an ASHA certified, practicing speech-language pathologist. She is passionate about providing parents with information on child speech and language development as well as provide functional, easy activities to do at home! Parents have the power to make a real difference. Follow Bridget at Facebook and Pinterest for more fun!