talking about what is happening throughout the day talking about what the toddler is doing conversations. A good caregiver encourages toddlers to use language. Caregivers can encourage a toddler to use language by: asking questions that the toddler can answer playing labelling games using picture books and display pictures and objects in the environment encouraging a toddler to repeat what has happened in a story being patient when a toddler is speaking (don’t finish sentences for the child) positively reinforcing the toddler’s language at every opportunity encouraging the toddler to participate in conversations. A good caregiver listens to what a toddler says and responds by: answering any question the toddler asks rephrasing and extending the toddler’s statement commenting on what the toddler says. Toddlers need lots of one-to-one time with an adult so that their attempts at language can be listened to, reinforced, paraphrased, repeated and extended. This will help motivate them to extend their language. During bath time identify body parts How can we support preschoolers’ language development? Here is a summary of ‘must dos’ to support the preschooler’s language development. Do accept and respond. The most important thing we as carers can do to support preschoolers’ language development is to always accept and respond to their attempts at language. This will help maintain their motivation to keep developing their communication skills. Do be clear and positive. Your language should be clear and positive, with varied tones, natural not forced or patronising or artificial. Don’t talk down to children or at children all the time. Do be a good listener. Take time to listen to what preschoolers have to say. If they are difficult to understand, repeat to them what you think they’ve said. A
talking about what is happening throughout the day talking about what the toddler is doing conversations. A good caregiver encourages toddlers to use language. Caregivers can encourage a toddler to use language by: asking questions that the toddler can answer playing labelling games using picture books and display pictures and objects in the environment encouraging a toddler to repeat what has happened in a story being patient when a toddler is speaking (don’t finish sentences for the child) positively reinforcing the toddler’s language at every opportunity encouraging the toddler to participate in conversations. A good caregiver listens to what a toddler says and responds by: answering any question the toddler asks rephrasing and extending the toddler’s statement commenting on what the toddler says. Toddlers need lots of one-to-one time with an adult so that their attempts at language can be listened to, reinforced, paraphrased, repeated and extended. This will help motivate them to extend their language. During bath time identify body parts How can we support preschoolers’ language development? Here is a summary of ‘must dos’ to support the preschooler’s language development. Do accept and respond. The most important thing we as carers can do to support preschoolers’ language development is to always accept and respond to their attempts at language. This will help maintain their motivation to keep developing their communication skills. Do be clear and positive. Your language should be clear and positive, with varied tones, natural not forced or patronising or artificial. Don’t talk down to children or at children all the time. Do be a good listener. Take time to listen to what preschoolers have to say. If they are difficult to understand, repeat to them what you think they’ve said. A
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