Guests:

Linda Murphy, Author of The Declarative Language Handbook

Jenny Marino, Mental Health Lead at Upper Grand District School Board. 

Episode Description:

In this episode of the Social Learning Podcast, Tara Ross and Kristen Smith are joined by Linda Murphy, author of the Declarative Language Handbook, and Jenny Marino, Mental Health Lead at Upper Grand District School Board. They continue their journey into the world of declarative language and explore how this thoughtful communication style can support social learning, mental health, and problem-solving in students.

Linda dives into the importance of using declarative language to reduce stress responses (like fight, flight, or freeze) in students, helping them engage with challenges in a calm, productive way. She explains how creating space for mistakes and reflection supports social competence and builds resilience. Plus, we learn practical tips for using declarative language to guide students through problem-solving—both individually and in the classroom as a whole.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Stress Responses in Students
2. Linda Murphy explains how certain communication styles, especially those that demand quick responses, can trigger the fight-flight-freeze response in students with social learning challenges. Stress behaviors like arguing, hiding, or freezing often stem from overwhelming demands. Declarative language helps by providing time and space for students to process information without the added stress of immediate response.
3. Declarative Language Creates Space for Processing
4. Using declarative language shifts the conversation from a directive or demanding style to an invitational one. This approach allows students to take in information at their own pace, which helps them process new perspectives and ideas, reducing stress and promoting emotional regulation.
5. The Importance of Making Mistakes in Safe Spaces
6. Linda emphasizes the value of allowing students to experience and navigate mistakes independently. When educators refrain from immediately correcting mistakes or providing answers, they empower students to problem-solve, build resilience, and develop critical life skills—such as coping with failure and figuring out solutions on their own.
7. Helping Students Navigate Mistakes Through Timing and Support
8. The key to supporting students as they make mistakes is timing. Educators should avoid interrupting a student’s thinking process to correct errors prematurely. Instead, waiting until the student has finished a task—such as a math problem—before offering feedback allows students to discover mistakes on their own, fostering greater independence and confidence.
9. Using Declarative Language to Guide Problem-Solving
10. Linda shares how declarative language can guide students through problem-solving by encouraging them to reflect on past experiences (episodic memory). For example, a teacher might say, “I remember something similar happened last week. Let’s see if we can remember what we did then,” allowing students to brainstorm solutions together and decide on the best course of action.
11. Modeling Problem-Solving for the Whole Class
12. Declarative language isn’t just for one-on-one support; it can also be used to model problem-solving in a group setting. Educators can narrate their own thought process when faced with challenges, such as a rainy day disrupting outdoor plans. This demonstrates that problems are manageable and provides students with a concrete example of how to approach challenges thoughtfully.
13. Creating a Safe, Collaborative Classroom Environment
14. By using declarative language, teachers foster a classroom environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities to learn, not as failures. This approach promotes a sense of community and collaboration, as students feel empowered to ask questions, make mistakes, and problem-solve together in a safe, supportive space.

Connect With Our Guest, Linda Murphy:  www.declarativelanguage.com