Supporting Language Development in Toddlers: How We Encourage Early Communication

The first five years of a child’s life are a time of incredible growth and development. During this time, children build a foundation of skills and knowledge they will build upon for the rest of their lives.

One of the most significant developmental changes during these early years is language development. Young children begin to speak sometime around the first year of their lives and rapidly develop language skills over the next few years. Research shows that vocabulary and language development occur most quickly between the ages of two and four.

During this time, children learn new words, how to use them, and how to express themselves more clearly in spoken language.

Providing young children with many opportunities to develop and practice their language skills is crucial. Early learning programs offer an ideal environment for children to develop early communication skills.

This article will explore how early learning programs support language development in toddlers. Contact the Little Sunshine Preschool team to learn more about our programs or to schedule a tour of our learning center.

Table of Contents

• How Do Early Learning Programs Encourage Language Development in Toddlers?

  • Imitation

  • Stories

  • Labeling

  • Narrating activities

  • Complete, simple sentences

  • Nursery rhymes

  • Songs

  • Open-ended questions

  • Active listening

• Find High-Quality Early Learning Programs Now

How Do Early Learning Programs Encourage Language Development in Toddlers?

Experienced early learning educators use a variety of techniques to encourage language development in kids. Here are some of the many ways early educators focus on speech and language development in the classroom.

Imitation

Even very young babies can respond to verbal language. They may coo or babble in response to a caregiver speaking to them. Between 12 months and 18 months, many children will begin to repeat words or speak independently.

Early educators use patient repetition to encourage children to make speech sounds. They also encourage children to say new words by asking them to imitate their speech throughout the day.

Stories

Reading stories is one of the most important things caregivers can do for young children’s development. Research shows that reading every day exposes children to new words. Children who hear more words typically understand more words and can use them appropriately.

Reading to children can help them develop a richer vocabulary. It can also help children associate reading with positive feelings. This can help them develop a love of reading later on.

Labeling

While most toddlers can’t read, labeling classroom items is still a great strategy for promoting language development. Toddler teachers often label classroom equipment and items and use the names of these items frequently. Hearing the names of items over and over can help children learn those words.

Narrating activities

Experienced early educators often narrate what they are doing. For instance, they may narrate the steps they are taking to prepare a snack or an art project. Children develop a broader vocabulary and better speech and language skills when they hear a wide range of speech.

Complete, simple sentences

Early educators know that using complete, simple sentences can help a child’s development. A child’s language skills develop quickly when they hear age-appropriate language. Teachers use concise, clear sentences when speaking to toddlers. They also use one or two-step directions during activities.

Nursery rhymes

Research shows that children who know a few nursery rhymes in preschool typically have better literacy and language skills later on. Nursery rhymes use predictable, age-appropriate language to tell complete, satisfying stories. This simple formula can help children understand the rhythm of language and develop a larger vocabulary.

Songs

Many early learning teachers use songs throughout the day. Songs are a great way for children to learn new words and understand the connection between them. Children’s songs are often repetitive and memorable, allowing children to absorb information more efficiently. Plus, children often enjoy singing and may stay engaged in learning for longer periods.

Open-ended questions

Early learning teachers often ask young children open-ended questions. An open-ended question is one that someone can’t answer with “yes” or “no”. For instance, instead of asking, “Did you have fun today?”, a teacher may ask what a child likes to do on the weekends.

Asking open-ended questions and actively listening to the answers teaches children important language skills. Language development includes not just learning how to use words but how to have productive conversations. Learning the rhythm of language is just as important as learning single words.

Active listening

Experienced early learning educators often use active listening techniques when interacting with children. These techniques include asking open-ended questions and summarizing the other person’s response. These skills encourage children to use new language techniques and give them confidence when expressing themselves.

Experienced early learning teachers are often skilled at working with children from a variety of backgrounds. This includes children growing up in a bilingual or multilingual family. It also includes children who may need extra support to develop language skills.

Early educators can identify early language issues and refer you to a speech-language pathologist if necessary. They can also work with children to follow individual education plans to help them reach specific goals. Teachers will also connect families with other forms of community support as needed.

Find High-Quality Early Learning Programs Now

If you are looking for high-quality early learning programs, reach out to the Little Sunshine Preschool team. Learn about how to encourage your child’s development by contacting our experienced educators. You may also explore our programs or schedule a tour of our learning center by contacting us today.