DEVELOPING STRONG LANGUAGE SKILLS

Bill Carosia M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Diana Cartmill

Preschool 4 Teacher

SPEECH-LANGUAGE & LEARNING

We learn language; then use language to learn

From birth we “soak up” the rich stimuli around us- colors, shapes, sounds, and speech / language

• Attention→ Memory→ Language→ Learning

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Teachers nurture your child’s language

development within:

• Listening & Speaking
• Reading & Writing

Speech- Language Development Depends On:

Ability and Exposure

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Natural Ability + Experiences + What we hear + How people react to what we say/do

Age 3-4

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• Familiar Nouns
• 3-4 word sentences
• “N-V-O”; familiar phrases
• Basic WH questions
• Songs/Rhymes
• Follows (some) directions
• Eager to learn
• Play- familiar events, voices, intro/imagination

Age 5-6

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• Vocabulary explosion!
• Complex sentences
• WH question- Mastered
• Understands almost everything they hear
• Follows 2-3 step directions
• Social awareness
• Play- complex, highly imaginative

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Repetition & Exposure

• 10-15 exposures to “master” new words

Errorless, Positive Learning

• Make It Fun & Build Confidence
• Literacy, social skills, emotions, attention, etc- all rests on a child’s motivation to try, face challenges, and overcome them

LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

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http://www.youtellmestories.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2016-11-3-YTMS-Packet-Digital.pdf

LISTENING

In preschool, children are working on listening skills. When children are listening they are focused. We use these strategies to develop listening skills:

• Teaching songs/ Rhyming songs
• Reading stories
• Play listening games ( ex: Simon Says, The Freeze Dance)
• Play make believe were the children converse and teacher

modeling occurs

DUNKIN DONUTS VIDEO

READING

Reading expands a child’s vocabulary. In class, teachers expose children to many stories. Most teachers read one to two books per day and encourage the students to read independently. We:

• Read a variety of books and genres to children.
• Re-read the same books often.
• Have children read stories to each other. PreK children are not expected to read the words. Instead we encourage them to tell a story about the pictures.
• Teachers ask children questions about the stories: “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Why” and “How.” Ask questions in way that require more than a one word answer.
• We discuss new words in the story.

WRITING

Writing is another way to develop language skills.

• Play Plans
• We encourage children to “write” down what they are thinking.
• We model stretching out sounds and make your child repeat the sounds to help identify the various sounds that make up the word.
• When possible, we encourage students to make a sign or list for their centers. First with drawing then with letters.

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TIPS FOR PARENTS

• Read to your child often
• A study from The Ohio State University found that young children who are read to five times daily (it's OK if books are repeated!) will hear ~ 1.5 million words by age 5 **
• When your child says something incorrectly, model or expand on their sentences
• “Want cookie” -----> “You want a cookie? I want a cookie.. Here are 2 cookies”
• When doing activities together, have children answer questions
• “What color should we use? Where is the red bird?”; Discuss color/size/shape of food at the grocery store, etc
• Give your child time to respond or share their story
• Patient listening develops social skills and confidence; it can be mutually rewarding!
• Sing songs to promote rhyming, rhythm, vocabulary, patterns, etc.
• Play games to improve attention/memory, listening…
• Join social media groups - Facebook, Pinterest
• Consult teachers and other professionals whenever you have questions!

Memory, Simon Says, I Spy, board games

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FUN ACTIVITIES

• Memory, Follow the Leader, “Copycat”,
• Operation, Hi Ho Cherry-O, I Spy
• Melissa & Doug toys- Content-specific vocabulary
• Pretend Play - Anything can be a toy!
• Vocabulary (clothing, body parts), following directions, basic concepts, problem solving, imagination, social-emotional development
• Literacy- everywhere!
• Apps (in moderation): Toca Boca, Sago Mini, Little Critter, Dr. Seuss

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Have fun and be silly, these are the best years of your lives!

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“Children need the freedom and the time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” - Kay Redfield Jamison

• Study: Children average 30 minutes outside,1 hour inside play per day

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• No Wrong Way To Play, Anything Can Be A Toy!
• Language Modeling Tips for Parents
• ASHA: Activities to Encourage Speech/Language Development