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Expressive Language
Expressive language is most simply "output" of language. This is how they express their wants and needs. This is the time when words are combined into sentences and phrases. It is important to distinction the difference between expressive language and speech production. Example: When we are at a traffic light my daughter knows that red means STOP. -
Receptive Language
Receptive language is the understanding "input". This includes the understanding of both words and gestures. Receptive language goes beyond vocabulary skills, but also the ability to interpret a question as a question. Normally receptive skills are learned first. Example: When my children were younger I would use building blocks to teach them their ABC's and 123's. The bright colors of the blocks keep them interested in learning and playing at the same time. -
Prenatal Development
Babies begin learning from their mother's while in the womb. Babies begin absorbing language earlier than previously thought. Only hours after babies are born they are able to differentiate between sounds from their language. -
Prenatal development to Age 2 years old
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Birth to 12 months
Newborn to 3 months
-Listening and responds to voice and sounds
-Cognitively, the child will begin exploratory play by mouthing & touching objects
-Tells feelings by cooing, gurgling, smiling & crying 4- 6 months
-Begins to respond to own name
-Laughs & squeaks
-Turns to your voice and other sounds 7-12 months
-Recognizes family members, paying attention to music or singing
-Obeys some common commands such as (bye-bye & stop)
-May speak one or more words by 12 months -
12 months to 18 months
12-18 months
- By 18 months, kids produces/uses approximately 15 meaningful words
-They explore their environment
- Ask for more by pointing at pictures in books 18 months to 2 years old
-By 2 years old children may understand (but not necessarily use) 200-300 words
-Like rhyming games, pulls a person to show them something; uses "I" and "mine" and can name most objects. -
2 to 5 years old (Preschool)
Toddlers to Preschool -Initiate conversation with your child related to recent events
-Make up stories along with your child ( this helps create a sense of humor)
-Gradually increase the complexity of grammar and vocabulary -
Age 6 to 12 years old (Preteen)
School age to Preteens -Keep conversations going
-Have family meetings
-Have dinner together to encourage conversation
-When you go out to dinner keep electronics at home or turned off
-Encourage reading, when they finish a book get their thoughts and feelings. -
Children Learning Differenct Languages
Parents estimate that there is a three to six month delay compared to monolingual children of the same age. Children learning two or more languages system might take more time since they are learning twice as many words. Mixing words is very common in children learning more than one language. -
Teacher's communicating with children
Communicating with a child who doesn't speak English can be difficult. There are effective ways to speak to them so they can understand such as being patient, value linguistic diversity, provide visual support, model comprehensive language and leverage background knowledge. Using hand gestures and facial expressions to communicate . Just like other kids they will pick up on body language, so be relaxed, confident and smile often. -
Teacher's communication with children (who speak spanish)
Communicating with a child who doesn't speak English can be difficult. There are effective ways to speak to them so they can understand such as being patient, value linguistic diversity, provide visual support, model comprehensive language and leverage background knowledge. Using hand gestures and facial expressions to communicate . Just like other kids they will pick up on body language, so be relaxed, confident and smile often. -
Interference with child's language development
There are several factories that can interfere with a child's language development.
- Inadequate stimulation (talking or playing with the child)
- Delay in general development
- Medical Issues
- Inadequate awareness of communication, lacks communication intent
- Short attention span
- Changes in child development
