Words, conversation, talk – that’s how we learn language. And it can begin by talking to that baby bump. Scientists have demonstrated that a human fetus is capable of recognizing sounds and speech patterns of it mother’s voice.
Whatever the words, you are starting a conversation and that leads to learning.
What do you see?
Let’s talk about it.
What could it be?
Let’s talk about it.
Just you and me.
Let’s talk about it.
Tell me what you see.
And, depending on the age of your little learner, you may receive answers that go like this:
- “Oogie boogie ga”
- “Beebo!” (what my two-year-old called birds)
- ”Red birdie”
- “That’s a cardinal!”
Environment strongly influences the language we speak and even how we speak it. Talking to and reading with your child are two terrific ways to help them hear and read new words.
Conversations and questions about interesting words are easy, non-threatening ways to get new words into everyday talk. Here are some ideas to get you started, says the National Education Association.
- Provide a simple, kid-friendly definition for the new word. “Enormous means really, really big.”
- Provide a simple, kid-friendly example that makes sense within their daily life. “Remember the really big watermelon we saw at the grocery store? That watermelon was enormous!”
- Encourage your children to develop their own example. “What enormous thing did you see today?”
- Use your new words daily in conversation.
You can find new words everywhere! Especially in the books you read together!
-Jeannie, Children's Team at Sahuarita Library
Read, Write, Talk, Sing, Play!
The day children are born, their brains are primed for language. Talking with your child about anything and everything helps them build oral language skills, which are critical to early literacy!
Read more about early literacy and how you can make a difference in your child's life.
