Everyone uses language. As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help and improve your child’s language skills, which makes sense. Your child can reach their communication goals if you help them improve their language skills. Communication stages are skills that most kids should be able to do by a certain age. As a child grows, these steps help us see if their growth is on track.
But how can you help your child learn language and make it better? So, what should you do every day to help them improve their language and speech?
Language development will vary from child to child, but some things can be done at home or at a toddler daycare in Rockville, MD, to help them improve. Pay attention to the conversation. Talk and sing to your baby and encourage them to copy your sounds and movements. Read to your kid. Read to your child as soon as they can. Look for soft or board books that are right for the child’s age and picture books that make them want to look at the pictures and name the things they see.
Use normal things that happen. Talk to your child all day to improve his or her speech and language skills. You can name foods at the store, talk about what you’re doing while you cook or clean, and point out things around the house. Keep things easy, and don’t talk down to people.
Your baby’s way of talking is beginning to change now that they are a toddler. There is still a long way to go before they can say everything in English. Your child may reach a number of speech milestones between the ages of 18 months and 2 years, such as being able to say anywhere from 10 to 50 different words, follow simple directions, and use short two-word phrases.
A lot of research has shown that reading helps kids improve their language skills. Read to your child every day. It will help them learn new words and recognize letters, no matter how young they are. Many children’s books use words and pictures that kids wouldn’t normally hear in everyday speech to spark their imaginations.
Singing with your child is a fun and easy way to help them learn language. Toddlers’ cognitive growth depends on them being able to communicate well, and singing seems like a great way to help them do that.
Singing songs and baby rhymes is a fun and motivating activity for toddlers. It’s also useful for them to hear and practice new words at home or at child care in Rockville, MD. For kids to build their language, they need to hear these new words repeatedly, so don’t worry if you feel like you are constantly repeating yourself.
Toddlers can learn to connect words with movements by singing during everyday activities and interactions, like changing diapers or making the transition from one activity to another. As they learn, this method helps them understand what words mean and how to use them in different situations.
Using different words with your child is another way to help them learn language. Talk about what you’re doing right now. For example, if you’re making dinner, you could say, “I’m chopping these vegetables,” or “I’m stirring this soup.” This not only helps them learn new words, but it also lets them take part in what you can do.
When we are aware there are so many chances for your child to learn throughout the day. Don’t be afraid to use descriptive words; they’re just as important! This helps with more than just speaking. It also improves vocabulary and general understanding.
Do you really understand your child? If they can’t say it, do you know what they usually want? Every parent knows their child so well that they can sometimes guess what they will need. Although this can be helpful, it can also mean that we miss chances for them to talk to us.
Give your child a chance to talk instead of just giving them crackers at lunchtime because you know they are probably hungry. Tell them, “What do you want?” Then, pay attention to what they do. Can they talk, point, or make noises to show what they want?
If you’re having trouble with open-ended questions, try asking them to choose between two options. Based on the signs they gave you, once you know what they want, show them how to say it and give them what they want.
Intentional pauses are probably one of the easiest things you can do as a parent to help your child learn words. You can begin to play by pausing while singing old songs or reading your child’s favorite books. If you’ve sun a certain song billions of times, your child might be able to fill in the blank with a word because they know it so well. After a short time, check to see if your child tries to fill in the blank. At first, they might just make a noise to fill in, but it might turn into a real word after a while!
If your child doesn’t attend a Rockville child care center, setting up playdates to help encourage language development is crucial. Talk to other parents you know or join a social media group that sets up play dates for parents in your area. Interacting with other kids their age will help them talk and show emotions better. Having them around other kids will help them learn how to listen and test their social skills. Children need to connect with other people in real life. Going on play dates will help them talk and understand more words. And also help them learn how to talk to other people.
Children’s interest in language can be sparked by exposing them to a variety of “different ways” of communicating, such as songs, stories, and toys, through experimentation. To further assist toddlers with comprehending non-verbal cues, an essential component of efficient communication, it is beneficial for them to observe and respond to what are known as “facial expressions.” Through the use of these straightforward yet efficient tactics in your day-to-day interactions, you will be able to greatly improve the language development of your toddler.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.