ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUR

CHILDS FUTURE.

What is language?
Language is made up of socially
shared rules that relate sounds or gestures to
meaning. There are many forms of
language. Some forms are speech, writing,
and gestures. Language is found in all
communities and varies in each community.
There are four distinct elements found in
language.
Phonology is the sounds of the letters or
combination of letters to produce a word that
is spoken. Semantics is the study of the
word meanings. Syntax are rules. And each
language has rules on how to form a
sentence properly by combining words.
Finally, pragmatics refers to the act of
appropriately and effectively talking with
others in the community.
The first steps in language
development begin in infancy when a child
produces vowel like sounds. And then the
infant will begin to babble, creating sounds

resembling language. You may begin to

hear Dada or Mama. About the age of 18
months old you may understand more and
more of your childs words.
Creating sentences also begin around 18
months old. Your child will begin using grammar
to form their sentences. They will first use short
sentences to get their message across but soon begin
to increase the length of their sentences.
It is very important to encourage
communication by means of speech, writing and
gestures to help children communicate with others.
It is important to evaluate where your child is in the
language development. Here are some more
milestones in language development that may be
interesting.
2 to 3 Years of Age- Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n
sounds. And speaks in a way that is understood by
family members and friends.
3 to 4 Years of Age- Answers simple
Who? What? Where? and Why? questions.
And talks about activities at daycare, preschool, or
friends homes)
4 to 5 Years of Age- Able to say most
sounds correctly except for a few (l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh,
and th). Uses rhyming words and can name some
letters and numbers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THESE WEBSITES

http://www.brain-mark.com/ParentingAid.aspx?Page=LanguageDevelopment
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/speechandlanguage.aspx
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/

There are many ways you can help

your child master language. First, talk to
them! Even before they are born. Read
books to your unborn child. Tell the
unborn child about your day and how much
you cant wait to see them. When they are
infants communicate with them on a
regular basis. Understand and be patient
when they cry. That is their way of telling
you what their wants and needs are. They
are communicating to you. Share with
them your wants and needs and how
especially how much you love them.
When they are toddlers and they are telling
you all about their day and dont ever seem
to stop. Listen and be patient. You will
learn so much about what is going on in
that little mind of theirs. When your child
is in elementary school help them with
correct use of grammar. Help them to
understand word meanings and spelling.
Have fun with words. Go outside or
in your community and explore the world
around you and share what objects and
things are called. This will help build your
childs vocabulary. Another very important
way to build their vocabulary is to read to
them. Read to them as much as possible. I
suggest every day, for at least 15 minutes.
Be sure they are able to settle down and
focus on what is being said. I find
developing a routine is a great way to
schedule regular opportunities to read.
Some of my favorite books are by Dr.
Seuss. Find books at the store, library and/
or online.

Melinda Dwyer
EDUC 121
November 2, 2014

Singing nursery rhymes and other

songs will help with vocabulary and
fluency. Reading and memorizing poems
will help your child with fluency. You can
find child friendly poems at
http://www.gigglepoetry.com.
Language is an art. There are many
ways you can create language just like
there are many medians an artist uses to
create art work. Language can be
interpreted in many ways and it is
important to know what you want to say
and how to get that that message across.
Just like an artist communicates through
their art. Enjoy the first creations of your
little artist (the babbling, the first words,
the first sentence, and even the
mispronounced words). Language takes
practice in order to master it. Train your
child to work and practice reading,
writing, listening and speaking. An artist
spends lots of time developing their craft.
Appreciate the art of language and the
many forms. Especially, when it is
coming from your child.

References
Kail, Robert V. (2012). Children and Their Development- Sixth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/research-institute/ems-4-bubs-baby-earmuffs. Ear image. November 2, 2014
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=108318649228236&set=a.108312465895521.12367.100001503055566&type=3&theater
Daviss Eyes, Taken in 2009 by Melinda Dwyer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2005_26_mon_01.shtml. Mouth image. November 2, 2014
http://www.brain-mark.com/ParentingAid.aspx?Page=LanguageDevelopment ABC Blocks. November 2, 2014