Simple Ways to Promote Speech and Language Development

A language-rich environment is vital to children’s early learning and social-emotional development. A language-rich environment isn’t just a room with books and a variety of print; it’s a room where children hear and participate in talking, singing, and reading.

Recent research out of MIT has shown that not just language but an intentional conversation between an adult and a child is what can actually develop the child’s brain. Many children hear mostly directions—like “sit down” and “line up”—which don’t provide the opportunity to engage in a conversation. Try these strategies to improve Language Modeling and engage all children in rich conversations that will prepare them to be readers, writers, and thinkers.

Step 1: Engage

• Get down on the child’s physical level (by kneeling, for example).

• Listen to what the child says or pay attention to what they are doing or pointing at.

• Observe the child’s facial or body expressions.

Step 2: Encourage Conversations

• Comment on what the child is doing and wait for a response.

• “You like the trains. You’re working hard to build a large train track.”

• Ask questions about what the child is doing or plans to do.

• “What are your plans for those blocks?”

Step 3: Extend Language and Learning

• Repeat what the child says then add a little bit more or a new vocabulary word.

• Label or describe:

• Child: I like it.

• Teacher: You like juicy peaches.

• Provide more information:

• Child: [Pointing outside] Dark!

• Teacher: The sky is dark. It looks like it may rain soon.

• Help make connections between what is happening in the classroom and what is happening in homes or communities.

• “What does this remind you of?”

• “You like playing with the stuffed animals. Do you have any animals at home?”