19. Identify and distinguish among verbal operants

Verbal operants they are like the "jobs" of language—each type has a specific purpose. While the words might look the same, their function defines them.

Types of Verbal Operants

Requesting Needs/Wants A child asks for something they need or want.

• Example: “Can I have juice?”

• Why it matters: Teaching mands helps children learn to advocate for their needs—a critical life skill.

LabelingA child names or identifies something in their environment.

• Example: “That’s a dog.”

• Why it matters: Tacts build vocabulary and help children make sense of the world around them.

Repeating A child mimics or repeats words or sounds they hear.

• Example: You say “apple,” and the child repeats, “apple.”

• Why it matters: Echoic skills are foundational for learning new words and building more complex language.

Conversational Response A child responds to a question or participates in a conversation.

• Example: “What’s your name?” “My name is Emma.”

• Why it matters: Intraverbal communication fosters social interactions and conversational skills.

Following Directions A child follows instructions or responds to language.

• Example: “Touch your nose,” and the child touches their nose.

• Why it matters: Listener responses show understanding and help build compliance with verbal prompts.

Copying Actions A child copies physical actions demonstrated by someone else.

• Example: You wave, and the child waves back.

• Why it matters: Motor imitation aids in developing both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Reading A child reads aloud or silently.

• Example: Reading the words “Stop” on a sign.

• Why it matters: Textual behavior lays the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning.

Writing What Is Seen A child copies written words from a source.

• Example: Seeing the word “apple” and copying it onto paper.

• Why it matters: This builds early literacy skills and reinforces letter recognition.

Sorting and Classifying A child matches or groups similar items together.

• Example: Matching a red block with another red block.

• Why it matters: This skill strengthens categorization and problem-solving abilities.

Writing What Is Heard A child writes down what they hear.

• Example: Hearing “cat” and writing it on paper.

• Why it matters: Transcription links auditory processing with written expression.