Developing Language Skills at Home

Most parents know that reading to a child starting in preschool is important. It is equally important to help your child develop confidence and ability in listening and speaking as an essential foundation for learning in school. What can parents do to encourage their children develop language skills?

Modeling Good Listening and Speaking Skills

Listening Skills

• Listen actively and carefully to your child by maintaining eye contact, asking open-ended questions, soliciting her opinion, and encouraging her to express her thoughts completely.
• Give your child time to think before talking.
• Listen patiently without interrupting, finishing his sentences, anticipating his needs, or speaking for him.
• Avoid pointing out or correcting numerous mistakes.
• Provide opportunities to learn and practice the words that organize and sequence what we know and do. Words like "first," "next," "then," "before," "because," and "underneath" help us organize our time, space, materials, and ideas. They are essential for giving and following directions, asking and answering questions, explaining ideas, and clarifying thoughts.

Speaking Skills

• Look at the listener so he can see your mouth, facial expressions, and gestures as you talk.
• Pronounce words clearly and with sufficient volume.
• Speak at an unrushed pace and use natural pauses to divide the material into phrases, sentences, and paragraphs.
• Reduce background noise as much as possible.
• Allow the listener time to process the information she hears, particularly with complicated information or directions.
• Stop to check for comprehension and allow for questions.
• Organize what you are saying so that it has a beginning (introduction), middle (body) and end (conclusion).
• Explain any new vocabulary that you are using.
• Be willing to repeat, paraphrase, or summarize what you have said.
• Begin and end conversations appropriately. 

Recognizing the Signs of Language Difficulty

Although the earlier language difficulties are identified, the better, it is never too late to receive help. Testing should be considered when individuals experience persistent or significant difficulty, relative to peers, in one or more of the following areas:

• pronouncing new words
• learning the meanings of new words
• hearing or making rhymes
• remembering or following directions, asking or answering questions
• recalling the right words to express what they want to say
• expressing their ideas in an organized way
• remembering names and other verbal information
• comprehending what they read or hear

Encouraging Activities that Promote Language

• Reading stories, books or poetry aloud together
• Having extended conversations with the child, for example: at the dinner table, at bedtime, or in the car
• Talking with a relative, neighbor, or other mentor
• Participating in clubs, youth groups, student government, or other groups that encourage participation and interaction
• Having the child teach or explain something to others, share an experience, read or tell stories to younger children
• Telling jokes based on multiple meanings, or reading from a joke book
• Participating in plays, puppet shows, fundraising
• Taking drama or speech classes
• Reciting speeches
• Practicing college or job interviews

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