For success in language, a child needs confidence that what she has to say is important, a desire to relate to others, real experience on which language is based, and the physical abilities necessary for reading and writing.
We can help the child's language development by providing a stimulating environment, rich in sensorial experiences and in language, providing a wealth of experience - because language is meaningless if it is not based on experience.
We can provide materials such as nursery rhyme blocks and books, vocabulary cards, books of subjects that are real and related to the life of the child. . We share good literature in the form of rhymes, songs, poetry and stories, which will greatly increase the child's love of language. This will set the stage for sharing our favorite poetry and great literature with the child as he grows.
This is the time, rather than elementary, middle or high school when humans really learn language. The foundation for a child's spoken language ability is aided by making eye contact while we listen and speak respectfully to her, by setting a good example in our speech to each other, and by reading aloud to her from an early age.
The child's spoken language is the foundation for her later ability in reading and writing.
(The above text is from 'The Joyful Child' - a Michael Olaf catalog. Reprinted with permission)
"There is a sensitive period for naming things...and if adults respond to the hunger for words in an appropriate way, they can give their children a richness and precision of language that will last a lifetime." - Dr. Silvana Montanaro, AMI Trainer
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| A.F. is refining her motor skills and strengthening her hand for later writing work by pasting shapes on paper. |
