Language development is a process starting early in human life. Infants start life without language, yet by 10 months of age, babies can distinguish speech sounds and engage in babbling.
Usually, productive language is considered to begin with a stage of preverbal communication in which young children use gestures and vocalisations (noises) to make their needs, wants and desires known to others. According to a general principle of development, new forms then take over old functions, so that children learn words to express the same communicative functions which they had already expressed by preverbal means. This is why the use of early signing can be useful in the development of language.
Practitioners can help sustain natural language development by providing environments full of language development opportunities. Here are some general guidelines :
- Understand that every child’s language or dialect is worthy of respect as a valid system for communication. It reflects the identities, values, and experiences of the child’s family and community.
- Treat children as if they are conversationalists, even if they are not yet talking. Children learn very early about how conversations work (taking turns, looking attentively, using facial experiences with conversing adults.
- Encourage interaction among children. Peer learning is an important part of language development, especially in mixed-age groups. Activities involving a wide range of materials should promote talk. There should be a balance between individual activities and those that nurture collaboration and discussion, such as dramatic play, block-building, book-sharing, or carpentry.
- Remember that adults are the key resources in language development for children. Children learn much from each other, but adults are the main conversationalists, questioners, listeners, responders, and sustainers of language development
- Continue to encourage interaction as children come to understand written language. Children in the preschool can keep developing oral abilities and skills by consulting with each other, raising questions, and providing information in varied situations. Every area of the curriculum is enhanced through language, so that the nursery becomes full of active learners are hardly ever silent.
Click here to see Sammy’s presentation on creating a ‘Language Rich Environment’
Click here to see the Rainbow article on bilingual language
Click here to see an article by a parent on hearing issues in early years
Click here to see the staff training True/False Quiz on language in the nursery