WestEd.org Infant/Toddler Language Development Language Development and Meaningful Experiences

WestEd.org Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Discuss the importance of meaningful experiences in early language development. Explore ways to create meaningful early language experiences for infants and toddlers.

WestEd.org Learning Objectives (continued) Participants will be able to: Explain how children benefit from a care teacher who is warm, patient, and admiring of the child’s achievements and a responsive partner in play and other interactions. Develop strategies to modify care teacher’s behavior to fit the needs of each individual child.

WestEd.org Reflection Take a few minutes to reflect on the following: 1.Think about an experience that you cherish and which holds meaning for you. What makes that experience meaningful to you? (People, place, time, tradition?) 2.What types of experiences help you to learn best? Why? 3.What are some ways to create meaningful language experiences for infants and toddlers? Adapted from: Cradling Early Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org Move About As you move about, look at the pictures posted around the room. Take a few moments to reflect on the meaningful experiences that may be happening for those in the pictures. Write down one or two words on a sticky note and post it next to a picture.

WestEd.org Elements of Meaningful Experiences Interaction with someone important to us. Emotional response. Met my needs. Was interesting to me. Helped me. Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org Elements of Meaningful Experiences (continued) Taught me something. Relevant to me. Connected me to something I know. Engaged me Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org Video As you watch the video clips, reflect on the following: What makes this experience meaningful for the child? What is the child learning about language and communication? Which elements of meaningful experiences do you see happening?

WestEd.org Why are Meaningful Experiences Important? Meaningful experiences are important because they: a.Provide the emotional support that young children need in order to take the risks involved in learning new things. b.Send young children the implicit message that what they value and need is important. c.Help children make a connection with those who are important in their lives (family, peers, caregivers). Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

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WestEd.org “The link between emotion and learning is perhaps easiest to see in a newly mobile infant who is just beginning to actively explore and learn from his caregivers and environment. He learns that his gestures, such as touching his Dad’s nose, can lead to a big smile and “Toot! Toot!” In return, a first lesson in causal thinking. This kind of emotional interaction with adults helps infants and children develop communication, thinking and problem solving skills.” Hawley, 1998, pg.7 Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module IV, Session 12)

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Social-Emotional & Early Language Development Communication is more than listening and speaking. Effective communication requires understanding the emotions behind the communication – that you understand others, that you understand yourself, and that others can understand your emotions. Young children see themselves through the eyes of their caregivers. The responses they get from teachers send positive or negative messages about who they are, feelings of acceptance, and how effective they are as communicators. Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module IV, Session 12)

WestEd.org Reflection Reflect on the following: Think about a time when you experienced difficulty in a social situation. Reflect on the emotions you were feeling and how you expressed those emotions. What kinds of responses did you get from others, and how did you learn to read their responses? What are some strategies you used to understand the feelings of others, and to convey messages in socially appropriate ways? Adapted from: Cradling Early Literacy Zero to Three (Module IV, Session 12)

WestEd.org Scaffolding Meaningful Experiences Understanding what experiences have meaning to young children helps teachers build on those experiences and to introduce new learning in meaningful ways. Helping young children make meaning of the language they hear in their everyday world is one of the most meaningful ways to scaffold learning. Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org The process of scaffolding can be remembered by the simple acronym (B.U.I.L.D.): B egin with the child. Start where the child is developmentally and offer experiences that meet each child’s need, age, and stage. U nderstand the child. Adapt experiences to reflect the child’s family, community, culture, language, and individual preferences. I nvolve the child. Introduce activities that interest and actively engage the child. Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org B.U.I.L.D. (cont’d) L et the child lead. Watch for cues that tell you both when and what the child is ready and eager to learn. D elight the child. Create challenges and introduce new concepts in ways that are fun and build self-confidence. Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org Reflection At your table, you will read a scenario about an 18- month-old. Read and discuss: How did the teacher….  B egin with the child  U nderstand the child  I nvolve the child  L et the child lead  D elight the child Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)

WestEd.org Summary Through experiences that provide a bridge between home, community, and child care, care teachers support children’s positive attitudes about learning. These meaningful experiences then provide the basis upon which care teachers can scaffold learning and language. Adapted from: Cradling Literacy Zero to Three (Module III, Session 7)