High Five Skill # 4, oral language, is a fundamental tool for communication and expression that supports children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Birth to five years is an important period for fostering oral language skills. During these early years, adults play a vital role in creating literacy rich environments that support language skills. Let’s explore some strategies and activities that nurture oral language development from infancy to preschool.
1. Talk, Talk, Talk!
Engage in conversations with children from the moment they are born. Describe what you’re doing, what they’re seeing, and what’s happening around them. This exposure to rich vocabulary and sentence structures helps build their language comprehension and expression.
2. Read Aloud Every Day
Research shows that reading to children is one of the most powerful ways to develop their oral language skills. Choose a variety of genres with diverse representation that are age-appropriate with colorful illustrations and engaging stories. Encourage children to ask questions, predict what happens next, and describe the pictures.
Make reading a cherished daily routine.
3. Expand and Extend
When children speak, expand on their words and extend their sentences. For example, if they say, “Doggy run,” you can respond with, “Yes, the doggy is running fast in the park.” This helps expose them to more complex language structures.
4. Sing and Rhyme
Sing nursery rhymes and songs to help children recognize the sounds and rhythm of language. Encourage them to sing along and do actions that correspond to the lyrics to foster an understanding of the patterns and inflections of speech.
5. Play Pretend and Role-Play
Encourage imaginative play where children can engage in pretend scenarios such as playing house, being a doctor, or going grocery shopping. Role-playing allows them to use language in contextually relevant and interactive ways.
6. Explore the World Outside
Outings to parks, zoos, museums, and grocery stores are opportunities to describe what children see, hear, and experience. This broadens their vocabulary and helps them understand the world around them.
7. Limit Screen Time and Encourage Real-Life Interaction
Prioritize real-life interactions over screen time. Face-to-face communication helps children learn to read facial expressions, body language, and vocal tones, which are crucial aspects of effective communication.
8. Provide Peer Play Opportunities
Peer interaction is essential for language development. Children learn from each other,
exchange ideas, and use language to negotiate and collaborate during play.
9. Introduce New Vocabulary
Introduce new words during everyday activities. Label objects, actions, and feelings with appropriate words. Encourage children to use words in their own sentences.
10. Be Patient and Encouraging
Lastly, be patient as children develop their oral language skills. Encourage their efforts and celebrate their progress. Positive reinforcement builds their confidence and eagerness to communicate.
Supporting oral language development in children with identified special needs requires individualized approaches that consider the specific needs of each child:
1. Foster a patient and supportive environment to allow children the time and space to express themselves comfortably.
2. Utilize communication aids such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, pictures, or sign language, based on the child’s abilities and preferences.
3. Incorporate multi-sensory experiences, like tactile and auditory stimulation, to enhance language comprehension.
4. Collaborate closely with speech and language therapists, educators, and other specialists to design personalized interventions and activities that address children’s specific speech and language goals.
5. Provide ongoing encouragement, positive reinforcement, and celebrate small achievements to building children’s confidence and motivation to communicate effectively.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that empowers all children to develop their oral language skills.
Lynne Hall, Research Associate, holds a Master of Science in Education and an Indiana instructional teaching license (Early Childhood Education and Services; Elementary/Primary Generalist; Elementary/Intermediate Generalist). She formerly taught preschool in a variety of settings for over 15 years. Her expertise includes early literacy instruction, equity in early childhood education, and inclusive classroom practices.
Email her at hallma@iu.edu
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