How to Promote Phonological Awareness in Non-English Speaking Infants and Toddlers
Phonological awareness -- a perception of the different sounds that make up a language -- is a precursor to speech, and subsequently, to reading skills. Children who come from homes where English is not spoken can nonetheless learn English with ease if they are immersed in the correct environment. By using fun games and thoughtful repetition, teachers and parents can promote English phonological awareness for little people who do not already speak English, or who come from homes where English is not the mother tongue.
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Instructions
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Speak English, and speak it often. The first way to encourage phonological awareness in babies and young children is simply to talk to them. Do not speak baby talk, but say words slowly and clearly, in a natural tone of voice. Associate words with objects as often as possible. For example, show the baby a book and say, "Book." Repeating words and phrases often will train the child to associate certain objects with certain words mentally; and more than that, it will enable the child to pick up on the phonemes of the language subconsciously. Quite naturally, the child will start to discern which sounds are part of the English language and which are not. Even if he hears another language spoken in his home, he will be able to discern which sounds (and which combinations of sounds) are English rather than a different language.
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Play word games to promote phonological awareness. With a toddler who has limited English skills, "sound soup" is a fun game to play. Bring out a big soup pot and tell the child, "We are going to make 'k' soup today!" Then, begin to fill the pot with items that start with the 'k' sound -- carrots, kale, clocks, and so on. The objects do not all have to be food; in fact, the child will probably have more fun if they are not. The point of the game is to get the child to become very familiar with a particular sound and to recognize it as a sound that can occur at the beginning of a word.
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Once a toddler's recognition of sounds is more advanced, play sound recognition games that require more of a response on her part. One such game is the "find it" game. Say a sound -- "r," for example -- and ask the child to find you an object in the room that begins with that sound. This activity combines auditory and kinesthetic learning styles to create a dynamic impact on the child. She will have fun and be learning her sounds at the same time.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep learning times fun when working on promoting phonological awareness. Infants and toddlers learn from the environment surrounding them, so there is no need for formal learning sessions.
References
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