Developing Language Skills
Every child learns language skills by listening to people talk, by playing with sounds and words and by talking to others. Babies begin to learn language skills from the moment they are born. The first language skill to develop is known as receptive – understanding what is heard. Expressive, or speaking skills, develops later.
Sharing rhymes and songs, telling stories and reading books with your child are fun ways to spend time together. And importantly, these activities also help children learn about language and literacy. For very young babies, it introduces them to new and interesting words and teaches them about how conversations work. For older children it helps them develop the skills they’ll need to read and write.
The more you read, sing and talk with your child the more they’ll understand about language and words, so try and make rhymes, songs and reading books part of your daily routine. You can help babies develop both kinds of language in the following ways:
Talking
Talk to babies often, but make sure you speak slowly, clearly and simply most of the time.
Use a variety of words, not just the names of things.
Focus on single words, especially words that are commonly used in baby’s everyday language, such as nappy, cup, bath.
Emphasise imitation. As babies begin to learn new sounds, imitate them. An entire conversation can be built around a few vowels and consonants.
Wait for a response. Even if babies cannot talk in words, they may have a response to an activity you have proposed, such as a squeal or whimper.
Pause often. This way babies have the chance to understand and talk back to you.
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