Language Development Activities for Children

Using hand gestures is a helpful tool for language develpoment.

Language development is an important learning process that helps children communicate and share thoughts, ideas and emotions. The most intensive period of speech and language development for children is during the first three years of life, a time frame when the brain is developing and maturing. These abilities seem to develop best in a world that is abundant with sounds, sights and constant exposure to the speech and language of others.

Birth to 12 Months

Encourage your child to make vowel sounds such as "Da," "Ba" and "Ma." Imitate your baby's gestures and teach him to imitate yours. Use hand gestures such as waving to people when saying "Hello" and "Good-bye." Emphasize attempts by maintaining eye contact. React with speech and imitate vocalizations. Acknowledge your child's effort to communicate with positive reinforcement, like smiling.

Twelve Months to Two Years

Talk to your child and discuss things such as what you're doing and where you're going. Count items and identify colors. Teach animal sounds. For example, if you see an animal such as a dog, say to him "What sound does the dog make? Bow-wow-wow." Teach him to imitate your actions by clapping your hands, blowing kisses and playing games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo.

Two to Four Years

Speak clearly to your child in a way that is simple and easy for her to model. Try to avoid baby talk as much as possible. Help your child learn and ask questions such as "Is that a cat?" or "Do you have orange juice?" When learning his colors and numbers, ask things like "Do you want to wear your blue hat or red hat?" or "Do you want one apple or five grapes?" Show her photos of people and places she knows. Have her recite what happened in the photos or make up new stories.

Four to Six Years

Give your full attention when your child begins a conversation with you. Make sure to have your child's full attention when you speak. Give you child a chance to resume a conversation by pausing after speaking. Discuss spatial relationships such as first, last, middle, right and left. Talk about opposites such as up and down, on and off. Role-playing games are a fun way to encourage her, such as playing "house." Use daily activities such as making lunch to encourage her to name the utensils to prepare your meal. Talk about the foods you will be eating and their textures, smells and tastes.

References

• American Speech Language Hearing Association: Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development