Fill in the Blank

LAT K

talk. ku. edu

Fill in the Blank

What is it?

Fill in the Blank is a back-and-

forth interaction that gives the

child an opportunity to use a

familiar word or sound to finish a

phrase the caregiver started.

Caregivers are using Fill in the

Blank when they pause before

a word in a familiar story, song,

or phrase to give the child an

opportunity to say the missing

word or phrase, or react in some

other way.

Why is it important?

Planning a delay during a

predictable routine with a child can

encourage communication.

Children can demonstrate what

they know and can say.

It provides children with

the opportunity to practice

communication while having fun

filling in the blank.

It emphasizes the child’s success

when they know what word to use

to fill in the blank.

Filling in the blank uses familiar

phrases and situations to

encourage quiet children to speak.

Getting Started

Have you ever noticed how excited children get when you

use the phrase, “Ready, set, go!” Sometimes we tease by waiting a

bit to say “go” and get giggles from the children as they get ready

for what comes next. Or, think about when you play “I’m going to get

you” with a baby, and they kick and coo as you pause and hold up

your hands to tickle. Even from a very young age, children know

what to expect in familiar routines, and we can use these routines

to encourage communication through a strategy called

Fill in the Blank.

LAT K

Promoting Communication Strategies

Tools for Advancing Language in Kids

From PC TALK Manual, Page 51

LAT K

talk

. ku.

edu

Pause when singing a familiar song

Leave off a word and pause to give children an opportunity to finish the phrase.

“The wheels on the bus go round and...”

Use the same familiar phrase to encourage talk during book reading

A phrase such as, “I see a...” can be used in any book, so children can become familiar with

filling in the blank to name the picture you are pointing at.

When a child needs something but isn’t talking, help them with a starter phrase

Look at the child expectantly and wait 3-5 seconds. If the child doesn’t initiate some

communication, start a phrase for them such as, “I want the …” and let them fill the word in

or help them point to what they need.

Think PEAR when you are using Fill in the Blank Blank

Pace

Pace your pause. Give children enough time to process and respond, but

say the word and move on if they do not.

Express

Your facial expression and tone of voice can cue your child to fill in the

blank. It is okay if the child doesn’t respond, but act as if they will.

Acknowledge

The child may make a noise, gesture, or say the word. Say something

positive back!

Repeat

Repeat the phrase often. The more you say the phrase over time,

the more likely the child is to respond when it becomes familiar to

them.

Ways to Use Fill in the Blank

Fill in the Blank is also called “time delay,”

and is used when the child is familiar with

the routine and knows what to expect. If the

child doesn’t communicate during the pause,

simply model the word and continue.

Your interactions should remain positive when

children do not fill in the blank.

After waiting for the child to fill in the blank,

fill it in for them.

LAT K

Promoting Communication Strategies

Tools for Advancing Language in Kids

From PC TALK Manual, Page 52

LAT K

talk

. ku.

edu

Using Fill in the Blank with Children

Who Use Gestures & Sounds

Play

 Play a game of peek-a-boo. After 2-3 turns, hide your face and say, “Peek-a-...” Wait

for the child to try to say “boo.” Once the child responds, show your face and smile.

 Blow bubbles for children. Hold the bubble wand to your mouth and say, “1, 2,

...” Once a child makes a sound or gesture to ll in the blank with “3” and blow the

bubbles.

 When playing with pop-up toys, establish a “Ready, set, go” routine before each turn.

After 2-3 opportunities, say, “Ready, set…” and allow the child the opportunity to

make a sound or gesture to indicate “go.”

Daily Routines

 Name food items while pointing to them during lunch. After 2-3 labels, point to a food

and pause to give an opportunity for children to label the food.

 Sing a familiar song during diapering, then pause so the child can ll in the blank.

“Head, shoulders, knees, and…” As soon as the child gestures or makes a sound, sing

the word and continue the song.

 Teach children greetings with ll in the blank. When a familiar person comes into

the room, say, “Look, it’s...” and see if the child will gesture or make a sound for the

person’s name. Then, model the name. “It’s Cameron. Hi, Cameron!”

Books

 Read books with simple sounds, such as animal, car, or silly sounds. This will make it

easier for children to respond when you use ll in the blank. “The dog says...”

 Add familiar songs to picture books to encourage ll in the blank. If you are looking

at a picture book with animals, you can point to a picture of a cow and sing, “The cow

says...” to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell,” pausing so the

children can attempt the animal sound.

 Count books as you and the children are putting them

away in a basket. Then, pause to see if the children will try

to say “book.” “1 book, 2 books, 3 books, 4...”

Ideas for Using Fill in the Blank During Activities

LAT K

Promoting Communication Strategies

Tools for Advancing Language in Kids

From PC TALK Manual, Page 53

LAT K

talk

. ku.

edu

Using Fill in the Blank with

Children Who Use Words

Play

 Sing a familiar song to the child and pause. “Three little monkeys jumping on the...”

Wait for the child to ll in the blank before continuing the song.

 When a child is placing puzzle pieces into a puzzle board, establish a phrase such

as, “Hi pig, hi cow, hi horse,” as the child places each piece. After a few pieces are

completed, begin the phrase and pause to allow the child to nish. “Hi...”

 When handing blocks to a child, hold one back and wait for the child to request the

block. Once the child requests the block, give the child the block and continue playing.

If the child doesn’t respond, start a phrase like, “I want...” If the child still doesn’t

respond, model “more blocks,” and give the child the block.

Daily Routines

 When setting the table for lunch, pause before handing a plate to a child, waiting for a

request for the plate. Or, the child can nish a sentence such as, “I want a…”

 If a child sees a cup of water and reaches for the cup, the adult may model, “May I

please have some...?” to see if the child will say “water.”

 Review rules with the children and allow them to ll in the blanks about how to behave.

“In the hallway, we have calm...”

Books

 Pause during familiar stories to allow children to ll in the blank about what happens

next. This should be used at meaningful points during familiar stories.

 Look at the cover of a book together and name the title of the book, pausing for key

words you think the children know. If they don’t ll in the blank, say the word for them.

 Pause when reading familiar books to give children the opportunity to participate.

To help children know what to say, use books that repeat the same lines often. When

reading “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” say, “I see a red bird looking at…” and allow the

children to say “me.”

Ideas for Using Fill in the Blank During Activities

To help children who have difficulty saying words,

combine actions with fill in the blank. This helps

children with certain language issues get words out

more easily. For each word, jump, wave your arms,

or gesture with the child, then pause both your words

and actions to encourage the child to fill in the blank.