5 Things Parents can do to Significantly Improve Language Development 1. ECHOING: When your child says a word, correctly repeat the word back to him or her. 2. RECASTING: Restate what your child says in a different way. For instance, if your child uses the word "cookie" and points to the cookie jar, add the word into a complete sentence like, "You would like to eat a cookie." 3. EXPANDING: Use other descriptive words to add to the words your child uses. If your child says, "My doll," then you should say, "Your doll has pretty brown eyes and long dark hair." Parenting

5 Things Parents can do to Significantly Improve Language Development 4. LABELING: This technique is used from early on with most children. When your child is exposed to new things, say their names out loud several times. Spend a lot of time communicating with your child from birth: talk, sing, encourage imitation of sounds and gestures through praise. Don’t wait until your child is able to respond in order to communicate. You’re laying the foundation for verbal skills by talking to them, even though they are yet too young to understand. Look at your child when speaking so he/she can see how your lips, jaw and tongue move. Teach correct names, e.g, instead of saying “piggies” say “toes” Parenting

5 Things Parents can do to Significantly Improve Language Development 5. READING: It has been proven time and again that children who are read to have an easier time speaking, reading and writing when they become school aged. Try letting your child "read" to you. Give them the book, let them turn the pages and tell you what it says. This is a good imagination builder also. Reading improves vocabulary, which will help your child in scoring well on standardizing testing throughout grade school and beyond. Parenting

5 Things Parents can do to Significantly Improve Language Development Read to your child every day starting as early as 6 months You don’t have to read the whole book or even read the words. Point out pictures and talk about what’s happening in the picture. As your child begins to develop language, have them read to you. Good books for babies have the following qualities: Rhythmic appeal Colorful pictures Repetition Age-appropriate soft or board books A good example is Brown Bear Brown Bear – What Do You See? What other books can you think of that would meet the above criteria? Parenting