What changes can you make in supporting childrens language development?

Question

What changes can you make in supporting childrens language development?

Answer 1

You can use ''cloze'' activities (fill in the blank).  Sing a song over a few days and then leave a space for the kid(s) to complete the words. 'The babies on the bus go:_____________,' all through the town. ("Wheels on the Bus" song)

Even songs with more possible answers (animals): 'And on his farm, he had a ____' e i e i o. ("Old MacDonald" song)

Or use humor: 'Oh, I need to tie your HAT. Oh, not your HAT, your ______.'  Yes, I need to tie your SHOE. You're right. Et cetera...

The one aspect of the "achievement gap" between poor and middle class students is their exposure and comprehension of a large vocabulary. Even with good schooling and intervention, the gap between the home vocabulary of the "at risk" students continues to be much smaller than their at-grade level, middle class peers. Ideas are formulated and communicated in words. Bigger vocabulary=bigger opportunities.

Answer 2

1. When speaking to your child have them look at you. By doing this you will be modeling how to move your mouth and how to form words and letters.

2. Get down on their level. Make good eye contact with the child and make sure they are looking at you when talking to them.

3. Speak slow. This will help them to hear you speak and also give them the chance to watch you speak.

4. Say words that might be hard for them and have them say the word back to you. Make sure the child looks at you when saying the word, get down on the child's level and say the word slow. Ask them to repeat the word and then praise them for giving it a good try.

Answer 3

Incorporate language all throughout the day. One of the most important things you can do is read to children. Ask the children questions while reading, comment on the pictures and situations, point out the title, author, words, etc. During the day, talk to your children. Ask for and value their opinions. Play language games like rhyming or finding words with the same sounds. Sing songs together. Expose the children to different experiences to build their language scripts. For example, take a trip to the grocery store, the library, the zoo, the bus stop, the post office, etc. Involve the children in your activities and talk about what you are doing.