How can I help my young child's language development?

Devote 10-15 minutes per day to structured play time with your child. Young children learn about the world around them through play.  This is how they learn basic nouns (food, animals, clothes, etc), preposition words (under, over, on, off, etc), and opposites (open/close, hot/cold, etc).  Play time can include singing songs, doing finger plays, reading, or pretend play.  Some ideas for pretend play include playing house, restaurant, farm, grocery shopping, making dinner for dolls or stuffed animals, etc.  What you do isn’t nearly as important as how you do it.  Fill your play time with language-rich dialogue as explained above.  As always, learning should be engaging, so have fun with your child!

This is done by adding content to a sentence either you or your child has said without changing the meaning of the sentence. For example, if your child points to her toy and says “ball,” you could respond with the following: “Yes, ball!  It’s a red ball.  It’s a big, red ball.”  You have now used three simple, grammatically correct sentences with the word “ball.”  Each sentence increased in length and added vocabulary, yet maintained the original content and meaning.  This technique can be used for nearly any sentence you or your child says throughout the day.  Be creative and see how many sentences you can expand upon!

You can do this by singing songs, doing finger plays, and teaching your child nursery rhymes.  Rhyming encourages early literacy skills, teaches rhythmic language, and helps with vocabulary.  Here are some helpful resources for rhyming games:

• Finger Plays: www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/babies-toddlers/finger-plays.htmRhymes: www.preschoolrainbow.org/animal-rhymes.htm
• Nursery Rhymes: www.nurseryrhymes.com/

Choose simple, engaging books with short text.  Books with 2-3 sentences per page are a good choice.  Talk slowly & clearly while reading.  Point to the words on the page as you read them.  After reading a page, talk about it with your child.  Describe the pictures in the book and talk about what the characters are doing.  Ask simple yes/no & wh questions about the book.  For example, you may point to a cow in the book and say, “This is a cow. The cow says moo! What does the cow say?”  Allow 5-7 seconds for a response.  If your child does not respond, answer the question for him and continue reading.  Remember to make it fun!

Playing games like Simon Says, Red Light Green Light, or I Spy help improve your child’s ability to listen and follow directions.  Start with simple, one-step directions or descriptions.  Continue to add complexity as your child improves.  For example, while playing Simon Says, start by saying “jump!”  Once your child has mastered one-step directions, add complexity.  For example, you could say, “jump, then touch your toes.”

While playing I Spy, begin with one attribute.  For example, you might say, “I spy something blue.”  Once your child is successful at identifying items with one attribute, add another.  You might say, “I spy something that is blue and soft.”

When your child has mastered following your instructions and descriptions, let them be Simon or describe an item for I Spy to help improve their Expressive Language!

Many children with language disorders struggle with prepositions.  These are words such as under, over, in, out, on, off, etc.  You can help your child learn to understand and use these words by playing hide & seek with favorite objects.  First, “hide” a favorite object and tell your child where it is.  You might say, “John, let’s play hide & seek with your train!  Fun!  Your train is under the chair!  See if you can find it!”  Once your child has found the object, hide it again in various places using other preposition words.  You could hide it on the table, in the box, etc.  Be creative!  Once your child has mastered finding objects, encourage them to hide the object and tell you where to find it.  Remember, make it fun!

Imagine for a moment that you are trying to learn a 2nd language.  You are required to learn new vocabulary, grammar, & understand others’ speech like a native.  Sound a little overwhelming?  For a child with a language disorder, learning a 1st language is just as hard for them as learning a 2nd language would be for you.  In order for them to be successful, it takes patience, and frequent & consistent practice.  If your therapist sends home worksheets, do them!  Also make it a priority to regularly do the following tasks with your child.