Language

Conversation is the laboratory and workshop of the student. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Language  Children learn their native language swiftly, efficiently and largely without instruction “Since time before history, regardless of race, class, or educational background, families have succeeded in transmitting their native language to their infants - or their infants have succeeded in learning the language within a natural environment of language use.” Don Holdaway-The Foundations of Literacy - p.19

Language  Language operates by rules  All languages have three major components: a sound system, a vocabulary and a system of grammar

Language eat four yesterday cat crocodile the

Language  Everyone speaks a dialect  Speakers of all languages employ a range of styles and a set of sub-dialects or jargons

Language you know super (good) inoperative Language change is normal

Language  Languages are intimately related to the societies and individuals who use them  Value judgments about languages or dialects are a matter of taste

Language Development Birth to Age 6

Birth to Age One Play with sounds Respond to higher pitched voices Around 6 months of age sounds begins to take on meaning Sounds begin to be selected, some eliminated - depends on the response they get

Ages One to Two Over-extensions may occur more than the normal range of inclusiveness Caregivers model not only words but intonations and gestures Start putting two words together, like a telegram Referred to as telegraphic language - “Mommy up” or “Aaron fall down”

Ages Two to Three End of their third year use and understand about 1000 words -extensions may occur more than the normal range of inclusiveness Telegraphic approach evolves into something more sophisticated More describing words - “My teddy bear cute, he cuddly, he soft.”

Child: Want other one spoon, Daddy. Father: You mean, you want the other spoon. Child: Yes, I want the other one spoon, please Daddy. Father: Can you say, “the other spoon”? Child: Other…one…spoon. Father: Say, “Other.” Child: Other Father: Say, “Spoon” Child: Spoon. Father: Say, “Other spoon.” Child: Other…spoon. Now give me other one spoon?

Ages Three to Four Use sentences that include pronouns, adjectives, adverbs and possessives Generalizations about language - “I wented to the zoo.” or “I catched the ball.” 1500 word vocabulary

Ages Four to Five Elements of adult language Grammar is correct for the most part - depending on what has been modeled Oral vocabulary contains over 3500 words Words and activities become one - “I’m making colors all over. I’m painting, pit, pat, pit, pat.”

Ages Five to Six Child and adult language are very similar Most grammar patterns have been mastered Language patterns are complex and intricate Pronunciations are in place Range of words , others estimate it at 24,000

Late language usually means late reading, 90% of the time Oral language reflects the settings in which it’s used Sex, age, ethnicity, social class, status, customs, habits and values of adults as well as siblings and peers all influence language Ear infections can have long-term effects for children when it comes to learning to read Dialects and terms used at home, in the community or region can have an impact on school success

Oral language is the vehicle for reading and writing.