Early Language Development: Integrating Language Learning into Everyday Life

Long before children enter formal education, they are constantly learning from parents and other caring adults who interact with them through language stimulation. Before they even begin to speak, babies are making sense of language, building a vocabulary and developing conversational patterns. They are laying the foundation on which all later learning will build. So, to make sure our children have this important foundation, do we need to be fluent in English, have a house full of books or know formal teaching strategies?   Dr. Alisha Wackerle-Hollman, from the School Psychology Program at the University of Minnesota, brings reassuring answers to these questions and more. As research shows, we need to speak to our babies about ordinary things in the language with which we are most comfortable. Growing up bilingual is an asset, not a liability. We need to follow our children’s interests, describing how things feel or taste, what they are doing (e.g. splashing in the tub) and what we are doing (e.g. wrapping baby in a warm, soft towel). When babies begin vocalizing, we need to take conversational turns, pausing to let baby “speak” then taking our turn. (Alisha says “strive for 5” conversational turns.) We also need to embed our culture in conversations with our children, offering traditional foods, singing songs, saying prayers and participating in celebrations. Not only will these things help our children’s language stimulation, but they will help us build close, loving, joyful relationships!   HOW WILL YOU HELP BUILD YOUR CHILD'S LANGUAGE SKILLS? Do you have babies or young children in your family? Think of some of the special, fun, important things you can teach them by talking, singing and playing during everyday activities. How can you work language stimulation into what you say and do while dressing your baby? Cooking dinner? Getting ready for bed?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT? ❉ PROMOTING LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN.  Dr. Maria Sera, who has spent her adult life studying language development in children at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, brings research-based information to help you provide the solid language foundation your child needs.   ❉ LEARNING LANGUAGE, LEARNING THROUGH LANGUAGE.  Melissa Koenig joins Mom Enough in this discussion on supporting children’s language development in both their primary language and second and third languages.featuring Melissa Koenig   ❉ EARLY LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT. Check out this tip sheet from Mom Enough supporting partner, St. David's Center for Child & Family Development.