Stage 4 Original Phrases: When Language Becomes Truly Their Own

Courtney Kaylor-Bates
Jul 12
3 min read

Updated: Aug 22

Part 5 of our Gestalt Language Processing Series

Click here if you missed Part 1 or Part 2 or Part 3 or Part 4

Welcome back to our series on Gestalt Language Processing (GLP)! So far, we’ve explored how gestalt language processors move from full scripts (Stage 1) to modified scripts (Stage 2), and then to individual words (Stage 3).

Now we’ve reached a major milestone: Stage 4 – Original Phrases, when children begin using flexible, self-generated language to share their own thoughts, needs, and ideas.

What Happens in Stage 4?

In this stage, children start putting words together in new and meaningful ways—not by repeating or remixing scripts, but by building phrases from the ground up.

For example, you might hear:

“Want blue car”
“Mommy go work”
“I eat apple”
“Let’s play outside!”
“Dog is running!”

These are not memorized lines or modified chunks—they are true original phrases, created in the moment to express something unique.

This is the stage where language becomes flexible, intentional, and creative—a huge leap toward full, independent communication.

What Does This Mean?

When a child reaches Stage 4, they are starting to:

Combine individual words to express original ideas
Describe, comment, and ask questions
Use language that works across situations, not just in one specific routine
Gain increased confidence and flexibility as a communicator

While this stage can feel exciting (and it is exciting!), it’s important to remember that GLP is a non-linear process. Your child may still use scripts or earlier language forms when they’re tired, excited, dysregulated, or simply in a familiar situation. That’s not a step backward—it’s part of how they process language.

How You Can Support Your Child in Stage 4

Your role now is to continue being a responsive, engaged communication partner. Here’s how:

Respond naturally and keep conversations going If your child says “Go park now,” you might respond: “Yes! Let’s go to the park now!” This kind of response both affirms their message and gently models natural grammar.
Celebrate original phrases with genuine enthusiasm This is a huge milestone—acknowledge it with joy!
Model short phrases, comments, and questions This keeps giving your child examples of how language works in a variety of ways. Examples: “What do you see?”, “Let’s build a tower!”, “That’s a big dog!”, “I want more crackers.”
Don’t focus on perfect grammar If your child says “Me go fast!” your job isn’t to correct—it’s to connect. You might say: “You’re going fast! Zoom zoom!” Grammar will come with time, and meaningful back-and-forth interaction is the key.

Here are Some Real-Life Examples of Natural Support:

Child says: “I want red one.”

You respond: “Okay! You want the red one—let’s get it!”

Child says: “Daddy home now!”

You say: “Yes! Daddy is home now—yay!”

Child says: “No like that.”

You say: “You don’t like that? Let’s find something else.”

These types of affirming responses help children feel heard while gently supporting the continued development of flexible, expressive language.

What Comes Next?

Stage 4 often leads into Stage 5 and beyond, where children begin using longer sentences, more complex grammar, and a greater variety of social functions—like storytelling, asking questions, explaining, and self-advocating.

But there’s no rush.

Each step your child takes in GLP reflects how their brain naturally learns language—with depth, emotion, creativity, and meaning.

In our next post, we’ll explore how language continues to evolve in Stages 5 and 6—and how to support your child as they become even more independent, confident, and expressive in their communication.

Until then, thank you for continuing to show up for your child with curiosity, patience, and trust. By understanding and supporting how your child processes language, you’re helping them develop communication that is truly their own.