Vocabulary development begins from the minute children are born, and is a critical part of children’s overall development.  Vocabulary skills are the foundation of communication, as well as a way to understand and express feelings.  Additionally, vocabulary skills support problem solving, thinking, and the ability to develop and nurture relationships.  Developing vocabulary skills are the basis for learning to speak, read, and write.  Read on to learn how parents, teachers, and caregivers can encourage vocabulary development from birth onwards.

Talking With Children

Talking with babies and young children is the best way to encourage vocabulary development.  It’s best to talk about things that interest your children or students, as it will keep them interested.  Follow the lead of your children or students, and continue discussing what they seem to be responsive too.  Parents and caregivers should begin talking to babies from the minute they are born. Babies should be encouraged to babble and copy sounds.  This will helps them develop vocabulary and language skills. A great way to encourage vocabulary development is to talk about what’s happening in daily life.  This will expand the number of words babies and children will hear.

Responding To Children

When babies get older, parents and caregivers should respond to them.  For example, if a baby or young child points at an object, they can ask the child, “Do you want that?” or “Do you like that?”  When young children begin using words, parents, caregivers, and teachers should repeat and boost what children are saying. It is important to be responsive, when communicating with young children; by doing this, it encourages children to communicate and vocabulary development.

Reading With Babies and Children

Reading with babies and children is a fantastic way to expand vocabulary development.  Reading with babies and children gives them the chance to hear vocabulary in different contexts.  This helps them gain a better understanding of the function and meaning of words. When parents, caregivers, and teacher read aloud to and with babies and children they should pinpoint words that they say to them, in order to demonstrate a link between spoken and written vocabulary.