Full Answer Section

Our role is to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment where children can explore, experiment, and build their language skills through play, exploration, and interaction. Your role as parents is equally important: You provide the foundation for language development through daily interactions, nurturing conversations, and engaging in meaningful activities.

Five Strategies to Promote Cognitive and Language Development:

Here are five strategies you can use both at school and at home to nurture your child’s language skills:

1. Reading Aloud: Regularly read to your child, choosing engaging books with bright pictures, interesting characters, and varied language. Point to the pictures, name the characters, and ask your child questions about the story. Even very young children can understand the rhythm and flow of language through reading.

   • At school: We engage in daily story times, incorporating interactive reading strategies, puppet shows, and dramatic play to bring books to life.

   • At home: Make reading a daily ritual, choosing books that reflect your child’s interests.

2. Interactive Play: Engage in playful activities that encourage language development. This could include playing pretend, building blocks, singing songs, or having conversations during mealtimes. Respond to your child’s questions and statements, expanding on their ideas and using rich language.

   • At school: We incorporate a variety of play-based activities, such as dress-up, construction play, and role-playing, where children can use language to express themselves and interact with their peers.

   • At home: Make mealtimes a time for conversations. Encourage your child to tell you about their day or ask them questions about what they are doing.

3. Labeling and Naming: Throughout the day, point out objects and name them. Use descriptive words to help your child build their vocabulary. When you are doing activities together, talk about what you are doing and the steps involved.

   • At school: We label objects in the classroom, encourage children to name pictures, and use descriptive language during activities.

   • At home: Name objects as you go about your day. Talk about what you are doing, “I’m putting away the dishes,” or “We’re going to the park.”

4. Encouraging Storytelling: Encourage your child to tell stories and share their experiences. Even if they just point to pictures or use a few words, respond with interest and expand on their ideas.

   • At school: We provide opportunities for children to tell stories through dramatic play, drawing, and storytelling activities.

   • At home: Ask your child to tell you about their favorite toys, what they did at the park, or a funny event that happened at school.

5. Singing Songs and Rhymes: Sing songs and recite rhymes with your child. The repetition and rhythmic nature of songs and rhymes help children learn language patterns and develop their phonological awareness.

   • At school: We incorporate songs and rhymes into our daily routines, using them to teach new vocabulary, promote movement, and foster social interaction.

   • At home: Sing your child’s favorite songs, or create your own silly rhymes.

Resources for Families:

1. Zero to Three: This website offers valuable information and resources for families with infants and toddlers, including tips on language development, play activities, and strategies for supporting language learning. (https://www.zerotothree.org/)

2. The Hanen Program: This program offers workshops and resources to parents and caregivers who want to learn how to support children’s language development. Their website includes free downloadable materials and information on finding a local workshop. (https://www.hanen.org/)