BOUNCE Approach®CommunicationCPD CertifiedOn-DemandND-Affirming
Using Declarative Language
Explore how shifting from imperative to declarative language creates a calmer, lower-demand environment — helping children feel understood, process their emotions, and develop self-regulation skills.
Declarative language is a powerful tool for supporting children experiencing emotional overwhelm. Unlike imperative statements — which demand a response or action — declarative language offers observations and information in a neutral, unhurried way. This small shift in how adults communicate can significantly reduce pressure, create felt safety, and give children the space to process what they’re experiencing.
By describing what you see, hear, or feel without expectation, you help children develop self-regulation skills and a more trusting relationship with the adults around them. Particularly effective with neurodivergent children, those with PDA profiles, and children who become easily overwhelmed by direct instruction or demand.
Objectives
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, you will be able to:
1
Explain what declarative language is and how it differs from other forms of communication
Understand the principles behind declarative language — what makes it distinct, and why that distinction matters for children who find directive communication difficult to process.
2
Recognise signs of emotional overwhelm and understand their impact
Identify how emotional overwhelm shows up in children’s behaviour and learning — and understand why the language adults use in those moments either increases or reduces the load on the nervous system.
3
Use declarative language to support children during emotional distress
Practise applying declarative language in the moments that matter most — so you can respond to distress in a way that reduces demand, supports co-regulation, and keeps connection intact.
4
Help children build emotional regulation skills over time
Discover how consistent use of declarative language builds a child’s capacity for emotional regulation — gradually and relationally, without pressure or performance.
