What is Language development and why is it importante
Effective communication whether spoken language, facial expressions, gestures, movements, postures, or touch requires a shared understanding for the meaning of a message with what it holds of emotions between the sender and receiver. Many skills, including nonverbal communication, active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to manage stress are required to be able for a child to communicate effectively. Communication can be achieved through different channels such as, Pictures, images and written symbols, no matter the method, effective communication is critical to build healthy relationships.
Preschool-aged children are natural communicators! As they role play, they immitate teachers, and other people important to them using grown-up language allowing their vocabularies to grow. As they grow older they shift from using language to express their wants or needs only use it to learn new things, imagine unknown worlds, explore ideas, create stories, and build friendships.
What are the components of language- and communication-rich classroom environment?
1.Responsive adults
At easy age adults need to build the self confidence of children to be able to express freely and to do so it is very important to focus on the idea that the child is expressing at this stage more than the grammar. If children use words incorrectly, model appropriate language and continue the conversation without highlighting the mistake.
2.Developmentally appropriate language
Using the right level of language that makes children feel it is slightly above the child’s current level stimulates their development.
3.Purposeful planning
purposefully selecting and using appropriate language with children that meets their needs.
4.Rich with print and books
Remember to provide multiple opportunities for children to read and see books and print around the classroom. This includes:
Reading frequently
Labeling classroom spaces and objects
Having books accessible to children
Creating an inviting area in your classroom where children can read quietly
Providing activities that involve drawing and writing
Embedding activities that involve playing with sounds, words, and letters.
5.Family involvement
Acknowledging that families are children’s first and most significant teachers is critical for your work in preschool. Involving families in children’s communication development and acknowledging that families are children’s first and most significant teachers is essential for learning.
6.Repetition
Children need time and practice to learn new skills such as letter recognition, rhyming, counting and sorting, or print awareness. To master a skill, children need to experience the concept multiple times across multiple domains.
What are the language development milestones?
Milestones provide a guide for when to expect certain skills or behaviors to emerge in young children. Preschool teachers must be knowledgeable about children’s developmental milestones to meet children’s needs in your classroom.
Keep in mind:
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Each child is unique in when they will master each skill.
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Milestones can differ slightly according cultures.
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preschoolers are on a a continues process during their growth to acquiring these skills.
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preschoolers are still establishing these abilities for the first time our role is to offer all the opportunities and support to help all children grow and learn to their potential.
What is your role in developing cildren's communication and language skills?
Adults can support healthy communication and language development by including the following in their care for infants and toddlers:
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Read aloud daily allowing children to be interactive with the story
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Have a conversation with every child every day.
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Talk about objects and the categories they belong in and the connections between them.
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Explore the sounds in language with preschoolers; play rhyming games and sing silly songs.
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Help children express emotions.
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Create a vocabulary list for new words.
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Answer patiently and use it as an opportunity to talk about ideas and concepts.
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Update your knowledge about communication and language development in preschool children
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Use new, complex, and interesting words in conversations
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Embed language games, songs, and rhymes into daily routines and experiences
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Ask children meaningful open-ended questions
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Provide diverse opportunities for preschoolers to participate and have conversations with each other.