Encouraging Language Development in Your Child: Simple Tips for Everyday Success!
Are you feeling pressured to get the right toys or play the right games to encourage language development in your child? Stop right there. Take comfort in knowing that by allowing your child exposure and experiences with language, you are already given them what they need. Oftentimes, it's not about how we can get our child talking, but rather, how we can adjust our language to encourage them to play with language.
Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the page for tips and ideas on how to incorporate language into your everyday routines.
Daily Routines: Your Secret Weapon
Good news! The best opportunities for language development lie in your existing daily routines. That means you are likely already providing your child with many language-enriched experiences. Everyday activities like mealtime, bathtime, and even grocery shopping are perfect moments to introduce and practice new words. Talk out loud about what you’re doing and meet your child where they are at in terms of language use. This means, if they are using 1-2 words primarily, bring your language down to 1-2 words. You can then gradually build up to 3 words, and so on.
Multiple Exposures: the Key to Mastery
The number of exposures a child needs before they will use a word varies widely depending on several factors, including the child’s age, learning differences, how hard the word is to say, and how many opportunities there are to say the word. In general, a child may need to hear a word 50-100 times before they will start to use it.
Main Goals for Language Development
To maximize your child's language development, focus on these main goals:
Context: Introduce new words during meaningful experiences, like play! Think of these experiences as mental Velcro—the more fun your child has, the “stickier” the Velcro will be for new words to “stick” and be used later on.
Repetition: Use new words in different situations. Repeat and use them regularly so your child has multiple exposures. The more often they hear a word, the more likely they are to use it.
Less Can Be More: When introducing new words, focus on 3-5 words a week at most. This keeps the learning manageable and fun.
Practical Tips to Incorporate Language into Daily Routines
Mealtime Conversations: Talk about the food, its colors, textures, and tastes. Make comments like “yummy food,” “hot,” “big carrot,” or “more juice.”
Bath Time Fun: Introduce words related to water, toys, and body parts. Sing songs and make bath time a playful learning experience.
Story Time Adventures: Read books together, point out pictures, and discuss the story. Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to use new words.
Playtime Exploration: Use toys and games to introduce new vocabulary. Describe what you are doing and encourage your child to do the same.
Remember, above all else, learning should be FUN! By incorporating these tips into your daily routines, you’ll create a rich language environment that supports your child's development in a natural and enjoyable way.
If you have any questions, contact us at admin@localslp.ca or give us a call at (204) 396-7413.
Happy talking!
