Language and Communication Development

Agenda Language Development Theory Language Mastery Stages of Language Acquisition Listening and Understanding Communication and Speaking Caregiver Responses Emergent Literacy Inclusion

Language Development Language Nativist Social Learning Interactions

Responsive Caregiving Respond appropriately Child receives the response and needs are met Observe the child’s needs

Mastering Language Phonology: basic units of sound (phonemes) Morphology: forming words from sounds Semantics: relationship between words and things Syntax: rules for forming sentences from words Pragmatics: rules of language in different social contexts

Stages of Language Sounds Babbling Sentences Overgeneralization Holophrases Two-word phrases Telegraphic Speech

Language Acquisition

Listening and Understanding Listens with interest to language of others Responds to nonverbal and verbal communication of others Begins to understand the rules of conversation

Communication and Speaking Uses consistent sounds, gestures, or words to communicate for a variety of purposes Imitates sounds, gestures, signs, or words Uses language to engage in simple conversations

Birth – 8 Months Listening and Understanding: Eye Contact Social Smile Joint Attention Communication and Speaking: Sounds and Cooing Crying Babbling

Caregiver Responses Build relationships Respond and take turns Respond to non-verbal communication Self-Talk and Parallel Talk Expand on vocabulary Read

8-18 Months Listening and Understanding: Understand simple instruction Recognize object names Communication and Speaking: 5-20 words, mostly nouns Holophrases

Caregiver Responses Listen and respond Model language Songs, word-games, rhymes Expand vocabulary Read

18-36 Months Listening and Understanding: Listens and responds Follow two-step instructions Engages in peer conversations Communication and Speaking: Two-word phrases (20 months) Telegraphic speech (24 months) Sentences (36 months)

Caregiver Responses Recasting Expansion Comfort with language Ask open-ended questions Provide novel subjects and experiences Read

Extending Language

36-48 Months Listening and Understanding: Follows three-step directions Conversations with peers Respond to questions Communication and Speaking: words Describe and communicate feelings Apply past tense and possessive rules

Caregiver Responses Create opportunities for child-child conversations Word games Ask open-ended questions Provide novel subjects and experiences Listen Read

Open-Ended Questions Have many possible answers Stimulate critical thinking and discussion Encourage sharing of personal views and feelings Lead to even more questions and discussion Encourage language development Is the puppy sad? How do you think the puppy is feeling?

Emergent Literacy Shows interest in songs, rhymes, and stories Develops interest in and involvement with books and other print materials Begins to recognize and understand symbols Begins to develop interests and skills related to emergent writing

Literacy LanguageListeningWritingReading

Promoting Literacy TALK TALK TALK Play Read Read READ

Infants Have books available for exploration –Cloth books –Photo books Songs, finger plays, puppets, and poems Hold and cuddle while reading Rhyme, Repetition, Rhythm Involve the infant, stop when they lose interest

Toddlers Print rich environment –Labels –Art materials –Books Read individually and in small groups everyday Cozy places to read Interactive Use storytelling, music, and dramatic play

Three-Year-Olds Print rich environment –Labels –Writing center –Books in every center Opportunities for reading individually and small groups Interactive Music, Dramatic Play, and Listening centers Dictation Expand with projects and activities

Inclusion Strategies Available materials Visuals and Sign Language Picture/word charts Snack ReadHome

Conclusion Q&A