Creativity, Social and emotional growth is just as important as academic learning. Learning to process and follow directions, playing with others, communicating with others, & listening to others, is an essential part of Early Years development. Understanding the development of different age groups is essential in ensuring a child’s emotional growth is supported according to their age and development needs.
Steps we can use to engage young children to support Language & Communication
Use of demonstration, modelling, and role-playing.
Presentation of new information in the context of previously acquired information.
Paraphrase often.
Use simple structures, and avoid complex structures.
Repeat the same sentence patterns and routines.
Tailor questions for different levels of language competence and participation.
Encourage a love for reading by incorporating quality children's literature into everyday activities around the home & routines.
Ask your child at mealtime – “What did the Hungry Caterpillar” eat on Monday? Or “Today is Monday, on Monday ………..” wait for them to recall & respond.
Try to bring in concept, time & space, Beginning, Middle & End – “First Goldilocks did” & “then what did she do?” & “what happened next”
By bringing a favourite story sequence & event up for visual recall, you will not only boost your child’s literacy, but also visualisation & language expression you are enhancing neural pathway development & supporting cognitive scaffolding to support literacy joy.
Books referred to in this post:
Today is Monday – Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
Goldilocks & the Three Bears – British traditional story