A child learns language through imitation, by reacting and constructing her own ideas, and by internalizing social action as an apprentice to others. Machado, p 69. From the readings I learned that toddlerhood marks the beginning of a critical language growth period and toddlers learn language in many ways. They learn language by listening to the others, copying others, using short sentences, using repetitions in conversations-books and music. As caregivers it is our responsibility to create an environment that promotes language and literacy in the classrooms. The TEDX Rainier video answered my question about the ELL adults, including myself, who have a hard time making new sounds that they were not exposed to in their childhood. In my language (Farsi) we don't have the " TH " sound and I was not exposed to that until I started learning English at age 12. Still today, after speaking English for 13 years I am struggling in making the "TH " sound, but by referring to the TEDX video we know this would not happen to an ELL five year old who starts learning English. This first hand experience helped me realize that young children are capable of learning a new language in a rich literacy environment that provides opportunities for reading, listening and speaking.
The /th/ sound is not a sound represented in many languages. My friend from Holland cannot, no matter how hard she tries, make that sound- even though she has been speaking English for 20 years.... I am glad you found that video informative.
A child learns language by being talked to. When a child hears language, they are exposed to language. I believe that they begin to imitate what they are hearing and verbalizing sounds that eventually develop into words. Having positive relationships and healthy attachments with the familiar adults in children’s lives allows them to trust the world, and therefore, develop accordingly. Having this said, it is important to carry over these beliefs into the classroom. This information on children and language influences what I do, as a teacher. It is crucial for early childhood educators to extend language development. Meaningful conversations with children are most important for scaffolding children’s language. Teachers must be mindful of what they say and how they say things to children. I believe that often, educators talk too much instead of waiting for teachable moments to truly model and extend language. It is important to listen to children and allow them to take the lead while balancing language development.
I agree with you that teachers often talk too much... and often really say nothing of substance or content. Remember OWL- observe, wait and listen? So many teachers find this to be one of the hardest skills to implement on a regular basis.
A child learns language by spending time with people, listening to them talk and communicating with them. Children seem to know and use the OWL technique. Seriously, they watch everything and listen for everything. Babies will mimic facial expressions and how many times do you hear babies say things as you do? They learn from what they see and hear! We teach children to talk by talking to them and providing opportunities for them to talk to you and others. The more children are exposed to language and communication the more they will understand and form the ability to communicate well. The earlier these experiences can take place the better; the more babies are exposed to communication the faster they will learn to communicate themselves. Knowing this information makes me intentionally speak to children about what they are doing or seeing. We talk about our daily experiences and I give children many opportunities to speak to me or their friends. We tell stories or explore daily experiences and talk through the process.
You are so right about children using OWL when observing others using language- I had never really thought of it that way.... I am so glad that this information is heightening your awareness of language in your work.
A child learns language by being surrounded with people that facilitates language learning as well as being emotionally, and physically connected to adults in their live that cares for them and also provide to them their undivided attentions which also is another way a child could develop language skills. Most importantly, being spoken to, played with, read to unlimited, and be introduced to age appropriate resources will lead the child to a right path of language development.
Language development occurs through the context of relationships and without strong relationships, language suffers. It is important for the adults in children's lives to understand the importance of oral language development and their role in modeling language.
A child learns language by listening and communicating with other people. When children watch and listen to other people they expand their vocabularies, learn social cues, and how to carry on conversations. Children especially learn language by being read to very often and being given the opportunity to retell the stories they hear. They learn language by being given unlimited opportunities to speak and ask questions. They also learn language from the adults in their lives giving them the words they need to talk about something. I know with my child who just turned 2 we have always described the objects she is touching or looking at and now her vocabulary is through the roof. I am so thankful that we gave her those opportunities to learn language. Children also learn language through facial expressions and social cues. There is no one way children learn language. Language is everywhere in some form or another and if children are given the opportunities they will learn it.
Your child is lucky to have adults in her life who talk to her using a variety of words, proper grammar and syntax...but so many do not have that opportunity and that is why we must remember to give some of the children at risk in our classroom all the language that we can!
A child learns language thru exposure from the people around them. Children are constantly listening and observing they are taking in all of the surroundings and sounds. Then as young babies they begin to try and copy the sounds or get their mouths and lips to work together so that noises to come out. In my classroom of preschoolers I have a lot of children with speech delays. So its huge for me and the other teachers in my room to work as a team with not only the adults but the children to create a classroom where all the children will succeed and grow. With our team approach it helps us get our goal of having this successful classroom. We have a little one right now who says “me want” instead of “I want” and the speech and language therapist is working on the “I want” statements. So as a team we all are working on “I want, I need”. Just with the children hearing us say “I want, I need” other children have picked up on it and are encouraging the little one to say it too. The little one picked upon it so much faster coming from his peers then us and now after just a week says I want 75% of the time. Katlyn
The adults in a child's life are such powerful models for language and can have such an impact on a the development of language. It is amazing though to see the power of peers on the language of others...just think though if you had an entire classroom full of children who had poor language-either from lack of experiences, special needs, developmental stage, etc. - what would that mean for the staff in that room? How does that change the peer to peer piece?
Teachers in this room would have to be the bridge between conversation so that everyone can get their point a crossed and feel herd. Children can get frustrated when they cant get there point a crossed. it would defiantly change the peer to peer interactions.
A child learns language by being exposed to language in person. Children need to be face to face with adults who are flooding them with vocabulary and language. It teaches them conversation skills, like eye contact, tone, and body language. In the TEDX video DR. Kuhl discusses how children exposed to DVD"s didn't retain 2nd languages like the children who were exposed to people speaking a second language to them in person. I think that parents who expose these children to screen time for the most part are well meaning. I feel that it is our duty as early care professionals to educate parents on not only limiting screen time but to flood their children with language and that is the most important thing they can do to facilitate language development. I also agree with Schickedanz that teachers need to "strive toward accuracy and precision in your explanatory talk to children" that we are setting an example of language and that we can expand and nurture their development.
Teachers need to "strive toward accuracy and precision in your explanatory talk to children"- I completely believe this and struggle when I talk with other early educators who don't understand why this important. I've heard teachers tell children that spiders do not bite (yes they do), that the moon only comes out at night (not true, you can sometimes see the moon in the morning), or that shadows are magic (shadows are created when an object blocks a light source)...ugh.
Jabilee I couldn't agree more! As teachers its part of our job to get down to the child's level and communicate with them eye to eye, face to face, and tell the truth. It's also our job to inform parents and talk with them about screen time. Its crazy the amount of screen time children have on a daily basis now.
Children learn language through exposure, experience, and imitating others. I am a firm believer that exposure and experience are huge factors in children developing language skills. Children pick up language skills very quickly so it is very important to set examples for children while speaking to them and others. While in the classroom, it is important to use details while talking to children, really explaining where items are and breaking down the language. In my head start classroom, I work with a majority of English language learners so it is very important for my coworkers and I to be good role models for the children and speak properly not only while talking to the children but at all times because children are always listening and picking up on different things.
Children learn language through positive relationships, imitation and exposure. Children are "sponges" and learn very quickly the language they experience in their everyday lives which is why as educators, parents etc. we need to make sure our children live in a very "language rich" environment. Adults are such strong role models for children that it is so important to surround the children with rich proper language on a daily basis.
Adults are strong role models for all children and we owe it to them to give them this rich language full environment. They are like little sponges and giving them these great opportunities when they are young will help them in the long run.
A child learns language through being exposed to a language-rich environment and imitating the language its caregivers use. Language acquisition is also driven by an innate predisposition to learn language. The TED talk discussed the fascinating ability that babies have to make and recognize sounds from all the languages in the world, and this supports the idea of a genetic predisposition to acquire language. The presenter proceeded to claim that this ability dimishes as the child grows older and becomes more accustomed to 'culture-bound' language. That is, as the child becomes more and more exposed to phonemes from its native language, it's capacity to retain and learn that language increases. That is why it is essential for caregivers to speak frequently to young children and to provide a language-rich environment.
A child learns language through being talked to, and by imitating what he/she has heard. Children's language is greatly impacted by the amount a children hears language and is talked to. When I say a children learns language by being talked to I mean more then "no", "stop", "don't touch that". Children need explanations on why not to do something and deserve to be spoken to with more then a few simple words. I have been learning a lot from my children in my classroom. I have been with most of them since they are roughly 8 months old and now they are about 14-18 months of age. I have watched them babble to now saying a few words and trying to say more words. It is truly amazing to watch how they are sponges and to see what they repeat. I honestly believe children through the most about language by watching us talk and with our interactions with each other and with them.
A child learns language through first being spoken to and with by parents and teachers that are positive influences and have formed positive bonds with each other. Then being exposed to books and given the opportunity to manipulate and view them at a young age. Children become attracted and engaged to books that are exciting and have vibrant pictures. Being read too often helps reinforce the idea of spoken language and how it is a way to communicate. Constant conversation from parents and teachers expose children to language, they will start imitating and experimenting with language as they become comfortable and vocal.
A child learns language from people speaking to them and interacting with them in person. Their language comes from being exposed to sounds and words by their caregivers. Exposure to hearing and seeing books and words develops vocabulary and growth of the language. Including words with objects or images of the words makes connections in their brains to help them understand that, for example, a picture of a ball and the word ball go together. This information about language will make me talk to children and have conversations with them as much as possible because most of their language comes from hearing and speaking to adults. Reading books aloud and allowing children to explore books on their own are also very important to do in the classroom to help the development of language.
Children learn language as they take in the world around them. They are always listening but they may not be accepting the language into their brain unless they are comfortable in their surroundings. in the video she mentions how the social part of their brain controls when they take in and accept a new language. When they are comfortable in their surroundings, trusting in the people who are caring for them, they will be more receptive of what they are listening to. It was incredible to me learning about the different sets of linguistics taking place when a bilingual baby is taking in language. They actually have to switch back and fourth when being exposed to the different pitches that are being accentuated. So children will learn language with time, but they will make meaning when they are open to the people around them.
A child learns language by exploring, watching, imitating and communicating with other children and adults in their environment. I remember in my Observing and Recording class that my professor said" Children are like little sponges; if you give them the right source of water they will soak it all up and expand until they can expand no more." That has always stuck with me throughout my years of teaching. I try to set myself up in a classroom so that children can learn and soak up all the knowledge that they can from me. If we create that "perfect" environment for them, one where they can trust, feel safe and comfortable then there is no stopping how far they can learn and how susceptible they are to the new knowledge around them!
My absolutely favorite picture when searching about Language development is a picture of a little baby. They baby is looking towards something (like an adult" and has the words next to him saying, "Talk to me...I'm listening." I just find this so true because interacting with both my children at this age was so much fun because their little eyes would just stare right into your own eyes and they would mimic your facial expressions back and it was just such a wonderful experience to have your child light up when something clicked in their little minds!
A child learns language through imitation, by reacting and constructing her own ideas, and by internalizing social action as an apprentice to others. Machado, p 69. From the readings I learned that toddlerhood marks the beginning of a critical language growth period and toddlers learn language in many ways. They learn language by listening to the others, copying others, using short sentences, using repetitions in conversations-books and music. As caregivers it is our responsibility to create an environment that promotes language and literacy in the classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThe TEDX Rainier video answered my question about the ELL adults, including myself, who have a hard time making new sounds that they were not exposed to in their childhood. In my language (Farsi) we don't have the " TH " sound and I was not exposed to that until I started learning English at age 12. Still today, after speaking English for 13 years I am struggling in making the "TH " sound, but by referring to the TEDX video we know this would not happen to an ELL five year old who starts learning English. This first hand experience helped me realize that young children are capable of learning a new language in a rich literacy environment that provides opportunities for reading, listening and speaking.
The /th/ sound is not a sound represented in many languages. My friend from Holland cannot, no matter how hard she tries, make that sound- even though she has been speaking English for 20 years.... I am glad you found that video informative.
DeleteA child learns language by being talked to. When a child hears language, they are exposed to language. I believe that they begin to imitate what they are hearing and verbalizing sounds that eventually develop into words. Having positive relationships and healthy attachments with the familiar adults in children’s lives allows them to trust the world, and therefore, develop accordingly.
ReplyDeleteHaving this said, it is important to carry over these beliefs into the classroom. This information on children and language influences what I do, as a teacher. It is crucial for early childhood educators to extend language development. Meaningful conversations with children are most important for scaffolding children’s language. Teachers must be mindful of what they say and how they say things to children. I believe that often, educators talk too much instead of waiting for teachable moments to truly model and extend language. It is important to listen to children and allow them to take the lead while balancing language development.
I agree with you that teachers often talk too much... and often really say nothing of substance or content. Remember OWL- observe, wait and listen? So many teachers find this to be one of the hardest skills to implement on a regular basis.
DeleteA child learns language by spending time with people, listening to them talk and communicating with them. Children seem to know and use the OWL technique. Seriously, they watch everything and listen for everything. Babies will mimic facial expressions and how many times do you hear babies say things as you do? They learn from what they see and hear! We teach children to talk by talking to them and providing opportunities for them to talk to you and others. The more children are exposed to language and communication the more they will understand and form the ability to communicate well. The earlier these experiences can take place the better; the more babies are exposed to communication the faster they will learn to communicate themselves.
ReplyDeleteKnowing this information makes me intentionally speak to children about what they are doing or seeing. We talk about our daily experiences and I give children many opportunities to speak to me or their friends. We tell stories or explore daily experiences and talk through the process.
You are so right about children using OWL when observing others using language- I had never really thought of it that way.... I am so glad that this information is heightening your awareness of language in your work.
DeleteA child learns language by being surrounded with people that facilitates language learning as well as being emotionally, and physically connected to adults in their live that cares for them and also provide to them their undivided attentions which also is another way a child could develop language skills. Most importantly, being spoken to, played with, read to unlimited, and be introduced to age appropriate resources will lead the child to a right path of language development.
ReplyDeleteLanguage development occurs through the context of relationships and without strong relationships, language suffers. It is important for the adults in children's lives to understand the importance of oral language development and their role in modeling language.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA child learns language by listening and communicating with other people. When children watch and listen to other people they expand their vocabularies, learn social cues, and how to carry on conversations. Children especially learn language by being read to very often and being given the opportunity to retell the stories they hear. They learn language by being given unlimited opportunities to speak and ask questions. They also learn language from the adults in their lives giving them the words they need to talk about something. I know with my child who just turned 2 we have always described the objects she is touching or looking at and now her vocabulary is through the roof. I am so thankful that we gave her those opportunities to learn language. Children also learn language through facial expressions and social cues. There is no one way children learn language. Language is everywhere in some form or another and if children are given the opportunities they will learn it.
ReplyDeleteYour child is lucky to have adults in her life who talk to her using a variety of words, proper grammar and syntax...but so many do not have that opportunity and that is why we must remember to give some of the children at risk in our classroom all the language that we can!
DeleteA child learns language thru exposure from the people around them. Children are constantly listening and observing they are taking in all of the surroundings and sounds. Then as young babies they begin to try and copy the sounds or get their mouths and lips to work together so that noises to come out.
ReplyDeleteIn my classroom of preschoolers I have a lot of children with speech delays. So its huge for me and the other teachers in my room to work as a team with not only the adults but the children to create a classroom where all the children will succeed and grow. With our team approach it helps us get our goal of having this successful classroom. We have a little one right now who says “me want” instead of “I want” and the speech and language therapist is working on the “I want” statements. So as a team we all are working on “I want, I need”. Just with the children hearing us say “I want, I need” other children have picked up on it and are encouraging the little one to say it too. The little one picked upon it so much faster coming from his peers then us and now after just a week says I want 75% of the time.
Katlyn
The adults in a child's life are such powerful models for language and can have such an impact on a the development of language. It is amazing though to see the power of peers on the language of others...just think though if you had an entire classroom full of children who had poor language-either from lack of experiences, special needs, developmental stage, etc. - what would that mean for the staff in that room? How does that change the peer to peer piece?
DeleteTeachers in this room would have to be the bridge between conversation so that everyone can get their point a crossed and feel herd. Children can get frustrated when they cant get there point a crossed. it would defiantly change the peer to peer interactions.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteoops I was logged into my husband's blogger account ;)
DeleteA child learns language by being exposed to language in person. Children need to be face to face with adults who are flooding them with vocabulary and language. It teaches them conversation skills, like eye contact, tone, and body language. In the TEDX video DR. Kuhl discusses how children exposed to DVD"s didn't retain 2nd languages like the children who were exposed to people speaking a second language to them in person. I think that parents who expose these children to screen time for the most part are well meaning. I feel that it is our duty as early care professionals to educate parents on not only limiting screen time but to flood their children with language and that is the most important thing they can do to facilitate language development. I also agree with Schickedanz that teachers need to "strive toward accuracy and precision in your explanatory talk to children" that we are setting an example of language and that we can expand and nurture their development.
ReplyDeleteTeachers need to "strive toward accuracy and precision in your explanatory talk to children"- I completely believe this and struggle when I talk with other early educators who don't understand why this important. I've heard teachers tell children that spiders do not bite (yes they do), that the moon only comes out at night (not true, you can sometimes see the moon in the morning), or that shadows are magic (shadows are created when an object blocks a light source)...ugh.
DeleteJabilee I couldn't agree more! As teachers its part of our job to get down to the child's level and communicate with them eye to eye, face to face, and tell the truth. It's also our job to inform parents and talk with them about screen time. Its crazy the amount of screen time children have on a daily basis now.
DeleteChildren learn language through exposure, experience, and imitating others. I am a firm believer that exposure and experience are huge factors in children developing language skills. Children pick up language skills very quickly so it is very important to set examples for children while speaking to them and others. While in the classroom, it is important to use details while talking to children, really explaining where items are and breaking down the language. In my head start classroom, I work with a majority of English language learners so it is very important for my coworkers and I to be good role models for the children and speak properly not only while talking to the children but at all times because children are always listening and picking up on different things.
ReplyDeleteChildren learn language through positive relationships, imitation and exposure. Children are "sponges" and learn very quickly the language they experience in their everyday lives which is why as educators, parents etc. we need to make sure our children live in a very "language rich" environment. Adults are such strong role models for children that it is so important to surround the children with rich proper language on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteAdults are strong role models for all children and we owe it to them to give them this rich language full environment. They are like little sponges and giving them these great opportunities when they are young will help them in the long run.
DeleteA child learns language through being exposed to a language-rich environment and imitating the language its caregivers use. Language acquisition is also driven by an innate predisposition to learn language. The TED talk discussed the fascinating ability that babies have to make and recognize sounds from all the languages in the world, and this supports the idea of a genetic predisposition to acquire language. The presenter proceeded to claim that this ability dimishes as the child grows older and becomes more accustomed to 'culture-bound' language. That is, as the child becomes more and more exposed to phonemes from its native language, it's capacity to retain and learn that language increases. That is why it is essential for caregivers to speak frequently to young children and to provide a language-rich environment.
ReplyDeleteA child learns language through being talked to, and by imitating what he/she has heard. Children's language is greatly impacted by the amount a children hears language and is talked to. When I say a children learns language by being talked to I mean more then "no", "stop", "don't touch that". Children need explanations on why not to do something and deserve to be spoken to with more then a few simple words. I have been learning a lot from my children in my classroom. I have been with most of them since they are roughly 8 months old and now they are about 14-18 months of age. I have watched them babble to now saying a few words and trying to say more words. It is truly amazing to watch how they are sponges and to see what they repeat. I honestly believe children through the most about language by watching us talk and with our interactions with each other and with them.
ReplyDeleteA child learns language through first being spoken to and with by parents and teachers that are positive influences and have formed positive bonds with each other. Then being exposed to books and given the opportunity to manipulate and view them at a young age. Children become attracted and engaged to books that are exciting and have vibrant pictures. Being read too often helps reinforce the idea of spoken language and how it is a way to communicate. Constant conversation from parents and teachers expose children to language, they will start imitating and experimenting with language as they become comfortable and vocal.
ReplyDeleteA child learns language from people speaking to them and interacting with them in person. Their language comes from being exposed to sounds and words by their caregivers. Exposure to hearing and seeing books and words develops vocabulary and growth of the language. Including words with objects or images of the words makes connections in their brains to help them understand that, for example, a picture of a ball and the word ball go together. This information about language will make me talk to children and have conversations with them as much as possible because most of their language comes from hearing and speaking to adults. Reading books aloud and allowing children to explore books on their own are also very important to do in the classroom to help the development of language.
ReplyDeleteChildren learn language as they take in the world around them. They are always listening but they may not be accepting the language into their brain unless they are comfortable in their surroundings. in the video she mentions how the social part of their brain controls when they take in and accept a new language. When they are comfortable in their surroundings, trusting in the people who are caring for them, they will be more receptive of what they are listening to. It was incredible to me learning about the different sets of linguistics taking place when a bilingual baby is taking in language. They actually have to switch back and fourth when being exposed to the different pitches that are being accentuated. So children will learn language with time, but they will make meaning when they are open to the people around them.
ReplyDeleteA child learns language by exploring, watching, imitating and communicating with other children and adults in their environment. I remember in my Observing and Recording class that my professor said" Children are like little sponges; if you give them the right source of water they will soak it all up and expand until they can expand no more." That has always stuck with me throughout my years of teaching. I try to set myself up in a classroom so that children can learn and soak up all the knowledge that they can from me. If we create that "perfect" environment for them, one where they can trust, feel safe and comfortable then there is no stopping how far they can learn and how susceptible they are to the new knowledge around them!
ReplyDeleteMy absolutely favorite picture when searching about Language development is a picture of a little baby. They baby is looking towards something (like an adult" and has the words next to him saying, "Talk to me...I'm listening." I just find this so true because interacting with both my children at this age was so much fun because their little eyes would just stare right into your own eyes and they would mimic your facial expressions back and it was just such a wonderful experience to have your child light up when something clicked in their little minds!