Language Development Language is a complex communication system which enables interaction between people. Language consists of: Receptive language, which refers to our ability to understand what other people say to us. Our receptive language develops slightly ahead of our expressive language. Expressive language is the language we use to communicate our thoughts and ideas to others. Expressive language can be both verbal and non-verbal. 1

Infants language development AgeResponseDescription NeonateCryingStarts to produce different cries for different needs 3 monthsCooingShort repetitive sounds such as “ooh” 6 monthsBabblingRepetitive sounds that use consonants such as “bababa” 9 monthsRecognises some words (objects and people) Will look towards objects or people when named, or may point 2

Infants language development AgeResponseDescription 10 monthsExpressive jargonSeems like “pretend” speech 12 months and onFirst words Holophrases Mummy, Daddy … One word which expresses a whole sentence 18 monthsExtends vocabulary includes some mispronunciations “Nana” for banana 3

Supporting infants language development Frequently hold infant and make eye contact Listen and respond to conversational turn taking Imitate cooing sounds q=infants%27+language+development Talk in an expressive voice about what you are doing and what you both can see Use short sentences and exaggerated intonation patterns 4

Supporting infants language development Use lullabies, gentle body and tickling games, nursery rhymes and books to stimulate interest and vocalisations Position babies near the “action” when awake 5

Supporting toddlers’ language development Continue to use songs, action rhymes, books and fingerplays and games. Use songs from a variety of cultures and languages. Talk with toddlers about things and events in their immediate environment Combine speech and gestures to help toddlers understand meanings q=toddlers%27+language+development 6

Supporting toddlers’ language development Avoid correcting speech, but model correct word forms and sentence structures. Use routines to stimulate and explore language Provide a language rich environment, ensuring toddlers are exposed to written as well as oral language, including shared reading experiences Provide toddlers with the opportunities to express themselves through drawing and painting language+rich+environments 7

Language development in the Preschool Years Preschoolers: Communicate effectively with adults and other children May use over-regularisations or over-generalisations Use “collective monologues” where they take turns in conversations but may each have their own topic Talk about what they want to do, who will do what and what will happen next May use “private speech” Will listen and respond to extended stories 8

Language development in the Preschool Years Preschoolers: Vocabulary increases at a rapid rate (doubles every six months) Sometime make up their own words or use words creatively – for example “hopicopper” Enjoy the sounds of words and love chants and rhymes that involve repetition of words that rhyme May stutter as their thoughts may come more quickly than their words Become interested in print 9

Individual differences in language development Genetic differences Hearing ability Gender Birth order Type of attachment relationship Personality Amount of language interaction with other people Quality of language interactions Caregiver’s language style Appropriate expansion of child’s language by caregiver 10

Supporting School Aged Children’s Language Development Ensure they hear language used in different types of ways – for discussion, singing, poetry, drama etc. Ensure they have plenty of opportunities to read and write language (stories, poems, letters, scripts of plays etc) Set up group activities to encourage conversations (games and puzzles) 11

Supporting School Aged Children’s Language Development Listen to and value what children say Be a good language model Provide opportunities for children to explain, describe and tell stories by asking open-ended questions Give children space and privacy to talk amongst themselves Offer items of individual interest to read 12