Easy Encouragement Ideas on Language Development for Toddlers
Language is very important in the lives of children. Language is one of the skills that help children express their needs, feelings, and build relationships with others. Moreover, language is not only limited to oral-medium communication, but enlists listening, comprehension, arrangement of words, and effective interaction.
At times, parents often think that their child will learn to speak automatically. True, naturally, the child learns to speak within a house with the right conversations and play, but you can increase both speed and quality in the process of development by having the right environment.
1. Involve Communication
Talk often
- Talk to the child as much as possible all over the day.
- Example: “Let’s wear shoes,” “Look, this is a red ball,” “Now we are drinking milk.”
- It makes the child get a words-action association.
Listen to the movements and interests of the child.
- If a child points to an object, like a bird, say: “Yes, this is a bird. A bird is flying.”
- Helps a child understand that what he gestures brings value and that language is added.
Eye contact close
- While talking to the child, looking into the eyes and bending down to his level.
- This way, the child understands your facial expressions, lip movements, and voice coordination.
Grant time to reply
- Whenever a little one says something or makes a sound, you must respond at once but also give him time to reply.
- This practice teaches children the rule of ‘turn taking’ in conversation.
2. Teach through Fun and Playful Ways (Incorporate Playful Learning)
One reading session each day
- Colorful books would be read to the child every day.
- Point out pictures, and ask questions such as “Who is this?” or “What is the dog doing?”
- Let the child turn the pages; this only increases their curiosity and engagement.
Sing songs and nursery rhymes
- Children are very much fond of songs and rhymes.
- Like “Jhula Jhula” or “Nani Teri Morni,” these songs are very helpful in remembering the language, rhythm, and words.
- Add activities such as hand movements or clapping.
Using gestures and actions
- When you say “water,” show a glass, or when you say “gold,” indicate to close your eyes.
- This helps the child associate words with real experiences.
3. Use Clear and Correct Language (Model Clear Language)
Speak clear and simple language
- Speak short and clear sentences instead of long sentences.
- Example: “Let’s go out”.
- Speak slowly so that the child can understand and repeat the words.
Avoid baby talk
- Use normal language instead of words like “Guddu paani peena”.
- Example: “Do you want to drink water?”.
- This would help the child learn the correct pronunciation and vocabulary.
Take the child further when he says “dog.” You say, “Yes, that’s a big dog. The dog is running.” This is how they will learn that words form sentences.
4. Include feelings and sensations
Add feeling Names for emotions
- If the child is crying, say: “You are sad because the toy fell.”
- In this way, they would learn that feelings have names and words.
Use stories
During the story: Use the feelings of the characters speaking-telling the story like, “See, the rabbit is happy because he got a carrot.”
So the child learns to identify the feelings of others as well.
5. Practice language in real life
In the kitchen
While cooking, say this – “This is a tomato, a red tomato. We are cutting tomatoes.”
In the Market
Show the items and say – “This is a banana, this is green.”
During Play
While playing with blocks, say – “This is a big block, let’s put it on top.”
6. Role of Parents in Lianguage develoment.
- Have Patience All children learn to talk in their own time.
- Praise Praise the child when he uttered a new word.
- Don’t shout just because there is an error. When the child says “tomato” instead of “tomate,” just say the word correct.
- Practice Repeats Child needs to hear new words many times.
7. When to refer to a doctor
If your child:
- Doesn’t speak any words by the 18th month.
- Cannot join two words by the age h of 2 years.
- Doesn’t listen when called by his name.
- Talks/communicates with gestures only.
With such signs, better to consult a pediatrician or speech therapist.
Conclusion
Language development in toddlers roughly attracts a day. It grows day by day through daily exchanges, conversation, stories, games, songs, and experiences. The child will not only speak earlier but also become adept at expressing himself and understanding others with proper environmental settings, with patience from the parents.
Language is not merely a set of magical words but rather the art of the child thinking, understanding, and connecting.
