Why Language Skills Are Important
Language is not just talking. It’s also how children learn, communicate, and connect. Early language development will be the foundation for reading, writing, and social communication in the future.
Children who are exposed to a rich and responsive language environment in the child care center are more likely to develop a better vocabulary , stronger social interaction skills, and higher academic achievement in later life.
How children learn to talk
Children learn to speak by seeing, hearing, and using. Every stage of development, from babbling infants to chatty pre-schoolers, is built on real-life conversation, songs, stories and play.
Key Milestones
- 12 Months– First Words, Babbling with Purpose
- 18-24 month – Two-word phrases (e.g. “want juice”)
- 2-3 year-old – Short sentences and vocabulary boom
- 3-5 years– Asking questions, telling stories, using complex sentences
How Child Care Providers can Help
In a language-rich environment, there is a lot of reading, listening, talking and singing.
Practical Strategies
- Talk a lot – describe what you are doing (I am pouring milk right now)
- Read every Day – Picture books, rhymes, interactive stories
- Learn to rhyme and sing songs – they will help you learn rhythm, new words, and memory.
- Open-ended Questions — What do you think the next event will be?
- Repeat and expand. For example, if the child says, “Dog run,” you can say, “Yes! The dog is running quickly!”
Caregivers don’t have to “teach”; they have to be warm and engaging.
Supporting Multilingual Children
The children from bilingual families may not speak until later in life, but the cognitive benefits are huge.
- Speak loudly and often in any languages
- You can read books in your native language as well as English
- Please encourage your family to speak their native language in the home
- Celebrate diversity of culture and languages in the classroom
Talking builds brains
Every story, conversation, and silly song shape your child’s mind. Exposure to language is one of the best gifts you can offer a child, whether it’s at home or in childcare.
