Early development of children’s language skills

Dr. Mazhar Ali

The early years are critical for developing children’s language and communication skills and building a foundation for academic success and optimal cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Here are some ways and means to develop young children’s language, conversation, and literacy skills.

ENHANCE VOCABULARY
Reading sessions

• Regularly read books aloud. Introduce a wide range of books covering various themes and subjects. Books with rich and varied vocabulary fill children’s word banks.
• Encourage interactive reading by engaging with children during reading sessions. Pause to discuss pictures, ask open-ended questions, and encourage them to predict what might happen next in stories. This enhances children’s comprehension capabilities and puts new words in meaningful contexts.

Label the environment

• Consistently name objects, colours, shapes, and activities at home and outdoor environments. For example, during a meal, you could talk about the “round, red apple” or “cold, white milk.”
• Place word labels on household furniture such as ‘door’, ‘window,’ and ‘table’. Seeing word labels enables children to associate the written word with the object, accelerating reading skills.

Use descriptive language

• When your child uses a simple word or phrase, expand on it to construct a complete sentence. If she says, “dog,” you could respond with, “Yes, the big brown dog runs fast.” This exposes her to sentence structures and new descriptive words.

Play with words

• Engage in games and activities that focus on rhyming words. For example, you can play a game where you say a word, and your child has to think of words that rhyme with it, like “cat,” “hat,” “bat.”
• Sing songs and nursery rhymes that emphasize rhythm and rhyme. They are great for introducing new vocabulary in a memorable and enjoyable way.

ENCOURAGE CONVERSATIONS
Active listening

• Make eye contact and show genuine interest in what your child is saying. This validates her efforts to communicate and encourages her to talk.
• Respond thoughtfully by reflecting on what she says to show understanding and prompt further conversation. For instance, if she says, “I saw a butterfly,” you can respond with, “Oh, you saw a butterfly! What colour was it?”
• Ask open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer to stimulate her to express emotions and ideas. For example, “What did you like about the park today?” or “How do you think this story will end?”

Family meals

• Use mealtimes as opportunity for relaxed conversations. Discuss the day’s events, ask about her favorite part of the day, and talk about forthcoming family events.
• Encourage her to share her experiences, thoughts, and feelings. This not only builds language skills but also strengthens family bonds.

Storytelling

• Share personal stories and your childhood anecdotes with children. Encourage them to tell their own stories, real or imagined.
• Engage in imaginative play and role-playing activities where children create and narrate scenarios. Playing house or school are great ways for children to practice language in creative contexts.

FOSTER EARLY LITERACY SKILLS
Daily reading routine

• Establish a regular reading time, such as before bed. A consistent routine makes reading a habit and special time for family bonding.
• Introduce a variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and informational books. This exposure helps children understand different writing styles and purposes.

Phonemic awareness activities

• Play games that focus on sounds of letters and words.
• Clap hands to the syllables in words to enhance phonemic awareness. For example, “ba-na-na” (three claps) helps children understand that words are made up of distinct sounds.

Writing activities

• Encourage drawing and scribbling as precursors of writing. Provide crayons, markers, and paper, and let children express themselves through art.
• Provide opportunities for children to practice writing short letters using simple words. You could use sand or finger paints to make this practice enjoyable and tactile.

Library visits

• Make time to take children to libraries to browse and explore new books. Libraries often have children’s sections with a wide variety of reading material.
• Participate in story telling and other literacy programmes offered by your local library. These programs often include interactive reading sessions, craft activities, and other educational games.

ENCOURAGE PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
Language-rich play activities

• Create scenarios where children can use language creatively. Playing doctor or chef allows children to practice vocabulary and social interaction in enjoyable settings.
• Use puppets to act out stories and encourage children to participate. Puppets spark children’s enthusiasm to explore different characters and emotions.

Art and craft

• During art and craft activities, explain what you’re creating. For example, “I’m cutting the blue paper into a circle.”
• Encourage children to describe their artwork and the process of making it. Ask questions: “What did you make?” and “How did you make it?”

Nature walks

• Go on nature walks with children and discuss what you see, hear, and feel. This helps children learn new vocabulary related to nature and develops their observational skills.
• Introduce new vocabulary related to nature and the environment. For example, discuss the different types of trees, flowers, and animals in your local park/ garden.

(Dr. Mazher Ali is consultant, psychiatry, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad)