Talk

TALK to your children, A LOT!!!

By that I mean talk with, not at them.  Research shows that talking in a meaningful way to children in the early childhood years nurtures early brain development and a foundation for language development.  Both of these are crucial for a child’s readiness for Kindergarten!  However, simply having a television on doesn’t work in the same way as conversing.  The talking has to have some meaning and be in response to their “words”.  

For example:

-At the grocery store you can count the items you place in your cart while showing them to your child.  Identify the colors of vegetables, shapes, flavors, textures, sizes, etc. of the items you purchase. 

-At home count the flatware while setting a table, count your steps on the stairs, identify the texture and colors of different materials, rugs, wool, walls, dog hair etc.  

-Talk about feelings, when your child is sad or happy or scared.  Or when you are!  Being able to identify and respond to and predict feelings are important social skills children will need in school, and life.

-Have conversations, respond to what your child says, and wait for them to respond in turn.  This is how children learn to interact with others!

-Talk about your schedule for the day, using words like “first”, “next”, “and then”, etc.  This allows kids to learn to talk about activities in their day and to feel like they have some control over what happens next.  We know there is security in routine!

-Make predictions, what will happen next?

-Be sure to use pronouns, for example us the word “I” instead of referring to yourself as “Mommy” or “Daddy”.  For example, “Mommy needs you to eat now” is replaced by “I need you to eat now”.   “Give Mommy the toy please”, is replaced with “Give me the toy please.”

Children will have trouble with much of the English language.  Despite the fact that there are rules of grammar, there are many exceptions.  For example, a child might say that he “waked” up, rather than “woke” up.  This appears to be the correct use of the past tense of the word, but there’s an exception to the rule and it’s a different word all together.  Very confusing for little ones!  But with practice and repetition they will learn these exceptions and begin to use them in conversation.