Language skills during the early years and the next years of a child’s life play a crucial role. It helps them understand what is happening around them, communicate their basic needs, express their emotions, develop conversations, engage in learning and imagination, develop social connections, solve problems, and for many more. Acquiring these skills in language is extremely important for the development of social, intellectual, physical, and emotional aspects as well.

What is expected as Language Development in children during his or her first five years? Speech and language development during the early years takes place in four ways.

• Learning to pronounce
• Learning new words and their meanings
• Rules of how to arrange words in sentences
• Learning social rules for using language (both verbal and non-verbal)

One thing we need to know about this process is that children are naturally programmed to be able to progress in these areas. While we do not need to worry too much about how we can get them started with this journey due to their natural drive to learn and progress in life during their early years, it is also vital to provide the support they need so that they are acquiring these skills effectively.

How you can help?

Your meaningful support is all what they need to do well!

The process of language acquisition is greatly supported by human inputs. If your aim is to to improve your child’s language or speech, using technological mediums, such as programs on television or digital devices are not supportive during early years. The support we provide should be face-to-face, direct and should come from real human beings. That includes you as parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives, friends as well their educators.

The more you interact with your child and support with what they need, the better they will become in the progress they make.

When you are helping your child in this journey, focus, model and give more time for them to practice,

• Good listening skills and attention
• Understand words and what is being said
• Speaking and expressing their emotions, thoughts, needs, wants, experiences etc.

Usually, a child who is keeping up with his or her healthy development will achieve above stated outcomes when they have reached their first five years of life.

Tips to encourage speech and language development in your child.

-Your child learns through observation and imitation. So be a Good Role Model of how you use language. This involves,

• Not speaking too fast – allow time for your child to process what you say
• Maintaining a calm and positive tone of voice o Using short sentences
• Making eye contact – get down to your child’s level
• Using clear and correct pronunciation
• Using correct sentence structures
• Not using ‘baby terms’ for words – this limits your child’s vocabulary
• Listening actively with your fullest attention
• Not interrupting as they go on talking o Adding empathy, love and kindness to your words

- Read to them and read with them as often as possible. Talk about the new words, use stories of their interest, spend sufficient time asking and answering questions, talking about each page in the story.

- Develop conversations with your child. Be patient if they are slow and take time to find most suitable words. It is about them! Choose topics that are interesting and can add new vocabulary. Don’t forget to be positive and optimistic in your conversations.

- Sing with your children, language development is richly supported when they receive opportunities to know, try and differentiate new sounds, rhymes and add expressions to words.

- Encourage free and pretend play. Where they choose activities on their own and engage in role play.

- Always work on creating a language rich atmosphere at home. That means, having plenty of books for your child to read, quite corners that encourage them to listen and concentrate, colorful displays with words and play materials that increase exposure to language.

Development of language during early years remains important as it has a clear connection with how a child performs and keep up with his or her learning and development later on. Educating yourselves about most effective and meaningful ways to support will enable your child achieve the most satisfying outcomes.

Tips to develop your child’s language skills:

• Be a Good Role Model of how you use language.
• Read to them and read with them as often as possible.
• Develop conversations with your child - be positive and optimistic in your conversations.
• Sing to and with your children
• Encourage free and pretend play.
• Create a language rich atmosphere at home.

Article by: Nimali Buthpitiya, Lecturer, Trainer and Certified Life Coach

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