Inner Speech for Self-Regulation

Does not use observable self-talk during tasks or play

• Works silently without verbal self-guidance
• Does not verbalize thinking during problem-solving
• No observable private speech during challenging tasks

Beginning to use audible self-talk during tasks

• Talks aloud to self occasionally during play or tasks
• Narrates own actions
• Repeats instructions aloud to self
• Self-talk is mostly descriptive rather than regulatory

Regularly uses private speech to guide actions and consolidate understanding

• Uses self-talk to plan actions
• Talks through problems aloud
• Repeats and plays with new vocabulary or concepts
• Uses self-talk to manage emotions
• Private speech increases during challenging tasks

Uses inner speech strategically for self-regulation and learning consolidation

• Self-talk becomes more internalized (whispered or silent)
• Uses private speech to rehearse social interactions
• Plays with language elements through self-talk
• Uses self-talk to consolidate new concepts
• Private speech supports sustained engagement in complex tasks

Metacognitively aware of inner speech as a thinking and learning tool

• Can articulate when and why they talk to themselves
• Deliberately uses self-talk as a strategy
• Recognizes inner speech in others
• Transitions flexibly between external and internal speech
• Uses inner speech for metacognitive monitoring