Encourage Your Child's Language Development

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• Encourage your Child's Language Development- Part 2

Part 1

By Sharon R. Gainforth

In the upcoming articles, I will be directing your attention to ways of enhancing your child's language development. The first topic may be illustrated by the following scenario.... This past tax season, I found myself making a trip to the neighbourhood accountant. My purpose, of course was straight forward....present all the necessary documents for the completion of my income taxes. Somehow in the shuffle of receipts, notes, T4 slips and forms, the topic of 'camping' emerged. Suddenly my conversation style transformed from formal and quiet to one that was informal and rather chatty. Baxter State Park, Mactaquac National Park, and Cape May,N. J. were just a few of the adventures discussed.

One might be questioning the purpose of this 'tax diversion'. The answer is found in the word ...INTEREST. We are more apt to communicate about topics of interest. This same principle applies to children as well. In the beginning stages of language development, a child is more apt to imitate the vocabulary that reflects their interest. For example, a child may be stacking blocks and laughing hilariously as they fall down. In such an activity, you probably have noticed that when you emphasize words like 'boom' and 'down',your childs responds. This can be explained by the whole concept of 'interest'. The word 'boom' tapped into the child's focus of attention and therefore is more appealing than the noun 'block'. As well, the emphasis attached naturally catches a child's attention. A child's point of interest must be carefully delineated however. As a parent, you may relate with the following. A wonderful gift is purchased for your child. Anticipation mounts as the toy is opened and the expression of joy on your child's face warms your heart. After a short season of 'appropriate' play, your child then becomes consumed by the box. At that moment, your child's attention could be directed back to the toy or you could follow his/her lead. When communication is your goal, I would highly recommend that you follow their lead. As strange as it may seem, many wonderful language opportunities can be discovered in a 'box'

To summarize, FOLLOW YOUR CHILD'S LEAD by observing your child carefully. MODEL THE WORDS that clearly delienate your child's interest. Most of all ...HAVE FUN!!!

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