D2.3 Promoting Language Development

How can adults talk to their children to promote language development?

Talk to children from birth so they learn how conversations work (taking turns) and become familiar with vocabulary and sentence structure. Ask them questions, expand on what they say, be positive and encouraging while correcting any errors in their use of the spoken word, use their names and different voices to gain their attention.

How can adults model good speech and language skills to promote language development?

Children learn by observing and copying adults so:

• Use short sentences

• Make eye contact

• Speak slowly

• Use correct and clean pronunciation

• Use correct sentence structure

• Don’t use baby words

• Listen carefully and allow them to respond

• Don’t interrupt them

• Use expressive language, include signs, gestures or actions

How can adults read to their children to promote language development?

From when the child’s just a few months old, read to them. Start with books that are colourful and tactile, point at the words and pictures, talk about each page, use different intonations (tone/pitches), ask them to guess what happens next, read a variety of books, explain the meaning of any words that are new to them, read rhyming books.

How can adults sing to their children to promote language development?

Sing to and with children to help their recognition of rhymes, sounds, memories and vocabulary.

How can adults create an environment that is language rich to promote language development?

Make sure children have plenty of books. Be a good role model for them so they see you reading a book, newsletter or magazine; create quite spaces such as a den to talk to them or each other.

How can adults encourage imaginative play with their children to promote language development?

Get children to play make believe, including dressing up, building dens or playing in a mud kitchen; talk about, for example, what they’re using and why, different textures and colours, imaginary words, what else they could use.

How can adults play language rich games with their children to promote language development?

Play any games that encourage conversation, such as ‘I spy’ and ‘What am I?’

What are the early signs that a child isn’t meeting the expected milestones in language?

• Being easily distracted

• Not being interested in being read to

• Difficulty learning simple songs

• Not being able to carry out simple instructions

• Poor eye contact

• Being unable to pronounce certain words

• Stuttering or stammering

• Incomprehensible speech or not speaking at all by 18 months of age