Parents! Help your child develop their language skills…

Children soak up their environment just like a sponge… everything from the expressions, tones of voices, sounds, images, people… you name it!
This is why if children are nurtured in the right, safe, stimulating environment; this can do many wonders!

Language development of children

Children have their own language when they are born, they usually cry or make noises to get attention.
Imagine a child only hearing the same noises repeated back for all of their first year … do you think that child would develop their language skills? NO of course not…

Bearing that in mind, why do adults often communicate to children in gibberish/baby talk?
Some may do it to help the child feel part of a safer environment or perhaps it’s just a learnt behaviour from observing other adults.

Scientific research shows that it’s very important to talk to your child/children from the very early stages of their life. However, it’s quality not quantity that will push the successful development of your child’s language.

Methods to help your child’s language development

There are many methods to help your child develop in their language skills. Here are 5 very effective ways:

• Singing
• Talking with & not at your child
• Reading daily to your child
• Using expression & varied tones when speaking
• Using key vocabulary in images and reading the word

Singing

Music is a power tool! It affects the auditory parts of your brain as well as stimulating parts of the frontal lobe & hippocampus which deals with the memory.
When you sing with your child, they will build up the memory of the vocabulary presented!

Talking with & not talking at your child

When you talk with your child, even if they can’t answer back properly, it helps them learn how to connect & recognize the stages of communication.

Talking at your child e.g. in the form of commands is good for teaching them right from wrong but in the case of language communication you may find your child becomes passive or bossy repeating words such as “no!” & “stop it!”
Talking with them will help them to not only learn, but to feel more valued.

Reading daily to your child

Reading on a consistent basis such as at bedtime to your child, will help inspire them to enjoy reading which will greatly improve their language skills.

It will also help them learn new vocabulary especially high frequency words such as ‘we’, ‘went’, ‘the’, ‘they’ etc.

Repetition of reading will help your child develop in grammar without verbally explaining the rules, they will know when to use different word types in particular order e.g. ‘I’m tired’ not ‘tired me feel’.

Reading also helps develop the child’s imagination which can help with exploring ideas, story writing and recounting skills as your child gets older.

Check out Amazing Fables for their fantastic children’s books! You can customize them too, why not have your child as the main character in an engaging tale?

Using expressions and varied tones when speaking

Lots of us may remember a parent’s ‘look’ when you were in trouble, or a teacher… Facial expressions speak volumes as we communicate through nonverbal communication by 85%.

Expressing emotions through body language, facial expressions & tone of voice are vital for language development as your child will understand the difference between certain phrases and actions.

This will help your child emulate a clearer way to communicate to you & others as they’re learning in an environment which demonstrates it’s healthy to express yourself.

Using key vocabulary in images and reading the word

This method is linked to reading to your child. When you read to them, focus on a word a week. Write it down on a paper and show them and say it. Break it down phonetically so they can learn how to pronounce the word accurately.
Doing this will greatly improve your child’s ability to recognize vocabulary!

I’m positive that with these key methods you will ensure that your child has a greater start at language development. Let me know how you get on!