Role of a Caregiver on Language Development
The primary caregivers for most children are parents. The role of parents in language development is critical. The early years of language acquisition are by far the most important to a child&'s ability to understand language and communicate in an intelligible manner. Most people believe that language development begins when a child begins to talk, around one year of age. In fact, parent influence on language development begins much earlier. Parents and other caregivers must begin by modeling appropriate use of language and responding to children&'s use of language if development is to progress in a healthy manner.
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Prenatal Development
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Many experts agree that language can and should be developed while a fetus is in utero. Some feel that talking to the fetus, reading books aloud, and listening to soothing music are beneficial for language development. While experts may dispute these, what is certain is that proper prenatal healthcare and nutrition are important for all areas of development.
Birth to One Month
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In this earliest stage, caregivers must respond gently and consistently to the baby&'s cries. The infant&'s cry signals a need. If attention is not given, the baby will cease trying to communicate her needs. This can cause a serious delay in language development. Parents should make eye contact when the infant is alert. Making faces or sticking out the tongue will encourage the baby to imitate the parent, something that will be important to later communication development. Parents should also sing or talk to the baby during diapering, bathing, and feeding. Furthermore, showing excitement at the infant&'s responsiveness will encourage her to respond more frequently.
One to Four Months
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In this stage, the infant will begin to make vocalizations and faces (such as yawning, grunting, and frowning). Caregivers should imitate these actions. When the baby smiles, parents should smile back and respond verbally, "You are smiling! What a nice smile!" These kinds of interchanges will encourage the baby to continue trying to communicate using these early facial expressions and vocalizations. Sing songs and read books to the baby. Also, walk around with the baby while touching and naming objects. Touch and name facial features while in front of mirror. Parents can also attach an unbreakable mirror to crib or wall so the infant can look at and talk to herself.
Four to Eight Months
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Caregivers should continue earlier games and activities: imitating baby&'s sounds and facial expressions, naming body parts, mirror play, reading, singing, and talking to the baby. Parents should begin using the infant&'s name during all types of activities so that she recognizes it: "Marlee is yawning!" Parents should play games such as, "This little piggy," "Where&'s baby&'s (eyes, nose, hand)," and "Peek-a-boo." These games show turn-taking and encourage imitation necessary for language acquisition.
Eight to Twelve Months
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At this stage, the infant should babble, shake her head "yes" or "no", say "da-da" and "ma-ma", wave "bye-bye", and use other intentional communication. Caregivers should continue familiar games and activities, and allow the baby to create new games using language. Parents can make up stories about things that happen in the baby&'s everyday life, as well as reading picture books while allowing the infant to help turn the pages. Be sure to talk about daily activities as they happen, "Here is the soap," and "Let&'s wash your hands before you eat." Parents can begin to give the baby simple instructions at this stage, demonstrating when needed, "Touch Mommy&'s ear."
One Year
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At this stage, the toddler begins using actual words for objects and people in the environment. She can name the more familiar objects and people consistently. She uses a single word to convey an entire thought (for example "more" may mean "I want more milk."). She can answer simple questions with "yes" or "no" and the appropriate head movement. Parents must allow opportunities for toddlers to practice these skills and reward their use. Caregivers should also encourage toddlers to point to familiar objects in magazines, catalogs, and picture books. The parent should name the object and encourage the child to imitate.
Two Years
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At two years of age, the child should use between 50 and 300 different words, and her vocabulary should continue to increase. She can understand much more language than she can express. This is the reason many experts advocate combining sign language with early speech (also called total communication). This is supposed to alleviate some of the child&'s frustrations at not being able to communicate all of her thoughts clearly. The child should be using three- and four-word sentences. In fact, at this stage, 65 to 70 percent of the child&'s speech should be intelligible. Caregivers should read to the child regularly from picture and story books. Parents should encourage make-believe activities, such as playing store or house. Also, sharing action songs, finger plays, and nursery rhymes will help encourage further vocabulary and language development.
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