Language is what makes us human. It underpins our social interactions, intellectual development and pursuits, negotiations and understanding of the world.
During a child’s first year, we watch them develop from having no language to quite effective communication. By their first birthday, they can talk to us in quite a complex way even if we can’t quite understand what they are saying. Even if you can’t make out the words, take the time to notice and respond to their conversational gestures and turntaking.
Language development usually reflects the way they are spoken to and the language they hear around them. Talk to your baby properly from the moment it is born, talk about what you are doing, talk about what’s happening around you, tell them stories and jokes, ask them what they think. Sure, they won’t understand and can’t answer you but they will begin to get the idea of conversational turntaking long before their first words.
A side benefit of talking to your babies is that it makes you look at them in a different way and you are more likely to notice small but important things about their development and health.
As they grow, encourage their language and vocabulary by describing in detail what you and they are doing. When you carry them upstairs, say you are going UP the stairs – on each and every stair – and again when coming down, DOWN, DOWN the stairs.
Choose quality television like Play School and note how the presenters talk clearly to children and not at them. Good quality programs will help your children’s development and give you more ideas on activities, songs and games. It’s not television that’s bad for children, it’s watching the wrong programs.
Recite nursery rhymes with emphasis and overacting. Have fun with the rhythms and onomatopoeic words. Get the last word wrong sometimes, just for fun, and laugh together. Enjoy having the most uncritical audience of your life – while it lasts.
If you use formal or informal childcare, look for carers who interact readily with children and their attempts to use language, and who listen and respond to the child appropriately.
Experiences that encourage language include:
- Talking, chatting, joking
- Songs and nursery rhymes
- Stories
- Books
- Jokes
- Pretend and dress-up games
- Co-operative and competitive multi-player games
- Good quality television programs.
- Sitting up at the dinner table listening and participating in the conversation.
