Archive for category Language Development
Bilingual Children and Their Language Development
Posted by admin in Language Development on June 18, 2011
What is the difference between bilingual and monolingual children when it comes to language acquisition? Some parents think that there is a difference, but there isn’t. Their development is the same as for monolingual children. Both groups of children go through the same stages of development. These stages or milestones will depend on your child’s age; but remember that all children are individuals and develop at their own pace. In the early stages of language, bilingual and monolingual children develop the same, with the differences appearing at the age of three and four. Both groups have of children have six stages of language acquisition:
When your child is 0 to 3 month they will be able to respond to your voice. Loud noises will startle them. You as the parent may be able to distinguish between different cry’s that your infant has depending on the situation.
At the age of 3 to 6 months noises will catch their attention and not startle them. When they reach four months babies can babble consonant and vowel sounds together. The biggest milestones happens at six months when the words “mama” and “baba” appear.
As your infant progresses to six to 12 months of age, they will begin to respond to their name. The babbling noises that they make will begin to sound like real words. Some infants at the age of twelve months begin to say their first words. Read the rest of this entry »
Encouraging Children’s Language Development
Posted by admin in Language Development on June 18, 2011
Parents and carers can use a range of strategies to encourage children’s language development. We thought of the following:
Talking to the child – even before a child can speak it is important for the adults and children around him to talk to him, for instance, by explaining what you are doing together (‘It’s time for Adam’s lunch, isn’t it?’), or what is happening (‘It’s lovely and sunny out here’, ‘Mummy will be here soon’). Remember to leave pauses so the child has chance to respond.
Using facial expression to convey meaning – children may not understand the words but they will usually understand the meaning if clear expression is used. For instance, if a child picks up a piece of soil in the garden and is about to eat it you might take it off him saying ‘yuck’ or ‘nasty’. He may not know what ‘yuck’ or ‘nasty’ mean. If, at the same time, you also scrunch up your face and stick out your tongue to indicate a horrible taste, the child will understand your meaning quite clearly. Most adults do this quite naturally when speaking to young children. Read the rest of this entry »