The Ultimate Checklist For Language Development

“Meow” means “woof” in cat.”

― George Carlin

Language plays an important role in our life as it helps us communicate with others. Learning to speak, read, and write is likely to help children express their emotions better, think critically, and solve problems. Research published in the journal of Policy Insights from the Behavioural and Brain Sciences mentions that the language environment at home significantly impacts a child’s language development, and comprehensive interventions can support a positive language environment in early childhood. 

The Disney.BYJU’S Early Learn app has games, videos, and worksheets that are designed to help young learners practise letter and word recognition. The level of progression on this feature- rich program helps children remain engaged in these activities, learn new words and expand their vocabulary. 

Tips to support your child’s language development

A book published by Cambridge University Press in 2016, Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood, lists different ways in which children’s language development can be supported in their early childhood. Parents can take advantage of these tips and use them to inculcate positive language development at home. 

• Surround your child with a playful and language rich environment that includes books, stories, and songs to foster a love for language. You could try labelling things around the house with your child’s help, playing word-based games and acknowledging your child’s efforts with words, using compliments and affirmations. Introducing the Disney.BYJU’S Early Learn App at this stage can cultivate a love for language. 
• Model active listening for your child. Find a way to engage authentically and meaningfully with your child through writing, reading and talking activities. For example: Making a shopping list or writing your child’s favourite recipe together. You could also try reflecting on the happy and not-so-great moments of the day with your child. 
• Encourage your child to experiment with language and provide opportunities to succeed in a risk-free environment that supports making mistakes. For example: Encouraging a child to engage in show and tell or to write a poem. If your child has made art, you could close your eyes and have them describe it to you using only words.
• Promote self-direction by giving choices such as — “Would you rather read a book or tell a story?” Ensure that books and other materials are easily accessible. This creates the opportunity for your child to take initiative and ownership of their learning and joy. 
• Accept the child’s approximations, such as — my lellow (yellow) raincoat. Congratulate them on using different and new words. You can guide them gently into accuracy, and soon they will start self-correcting themselves. 

Parents can try to create an environment that encourages their children to explore language functionally and meaningfully in different ways that includes reading books, writing notes and letters, listening, and engaging in conversations. It will help them appreciate language and will also provide opportunities for parents to celebrate their child’s language development. 

Did you find this article interesting? Do you have any questions about Disney.BYJU’S Early Learn App? What are some ways you attempt to enhance your child’s language development? Share your thoughts and queries in the comments section below, or drop a note at storyweavers@byjus.com. 

Reference:

• Ewing, R., Rushton, K., Callow, J. (2016). Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood. Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Cambridge University Press.
• Brito, N. H. (2017). Influence of the home linguistic environment on early language development. Policy Insights from the Behavioural and Brain Sciences, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732217720699