Daniel Saturley shares his top tips on nurturing children’s speech and language development.
First things first, be a conversation starter and get children talking! Take this a step further by being a beacon of language and drop in new words here and there, making your conversations a delightful treasure hunt for vocabulary.
Whether you’re chatting about the clouds, the colour of a child’s shirt, or the taste of their snack, sprinkle in some exciting new words. These snippets of language will help children expand their vocabulary effortlessly.
Let’s not forget that a lot of communication happens without words. Gestures, facial expressions, and body language speak volumes.
When you’re animated and expressive, children pick up on these cues and learn to use them too. So, wave those hands, raise those eyebrows, and let your face do the talking!
Reading widely and sharing books is a game-changer. Books are a fantastic tool for introducing new vocabulary and ideas.
When you read with children, you’re not just telling a story; you’re opening up a world of words and imagination.
Don’t stop at just reading; play alongside them, expanding their sentences and weaving in new vocabulary. “Oh, I can see that you are building a tower! It looks tall – look at how it’s towering over the tiny cars!”
Setting up language-rich environments, both indoors and out, is essential. These spaces should be calm, clear, and labelled, with plenty of opportunities for interaction.
Skilled colleagues can use these environments to spark discussions and stimulate children’s minds. Imagine a cosy reading nook or a vibrant outdoor space with signs, labels, and lots of talking points.
When engaging with children, it’s vital to articulate and enunciate correctly. Clear and precise speech helps children understand and replicate sounds and words. It’s all about modelling good language habits.
Spend time understanding the starting points and next steps for your key children. Knowing where each child is in their language development helps tailor your interactions to be most effective. This personalised approach makes a huge difference to progress.
Songs and rhymes boost language skills. They’re not only fun but also rhythmic and repetitive, which helps children remember words and phrases.
Whether it’s a morning “hello” song or a “clean-up” rhyme, these little tunes make learning joyful.
While playing alongside children, model language for them. Use visual aids to support understanding, and always be patient and encouraging.
Show them how to use words in context, and they’ll start mimicking your language use. “I see you’re drawing a sun. Is it a sunny day? It looks bright and shiny!”
Teach words that help children play and interact with their peers. Terms like share, turn, build, and explore are practical and help children communicate their needs and ideas through learning and exploration.
Here’s a golden rule: comment more than question. Make observations. “I see you’re painting the sea. It looks so big. Perhaps it’s a big blue ocean!”
Doing so could enrich the conversation while allowing children to respond naturally rather than feeling quizzed.
Daniel Saturley is an early years advisory teacher.
