From birth, children love to hear the voice of their parents, which can soothe, comfort, guide and teach them an abundance of things – they are like sponges soaking up all the sounds they hear, actually from before they are born! Their brains are busy processing all the richness of sound around them, well before they can speak to show their comprehension.
Did you know that an average 18 month old toddler knows about 50 words and by the time most children enter school, they know between 3000-5000 words!!
The value of simply speaking with your child is so precious. Not only does it build a beautiful bond but also serves as an integral part of preparing the brain for lifelong verbal and written communication!!
‘Yes, I get the verbal communication,’ I hear you say, ‘but what?’
‘How can talking impact on written communication as well?’
By simply speaking to your child, they learn to listen to and manipulate sounds they hear in words spoken, read and sung to them. This is the very beginnings of early literacy development, which is so important when children are learning to read, write and spell in a formal setting at school, as they are already familiar with manipulating, understanding or recognising and comprehending different sounds.
They need to learn the letter; learn the sound and put them together!
As they learn to associate a sound with a letter their brains become familiar with manipulating these sounds in words for reading; then associating them with letter names for spelling and letter formations, to then produce them in written form, as written communication!
This auditory or verbal learning also supports a child’s ability to recall and remember what they hear, which is vital for listening to and following 1, 2, 3 or more step instructions as they grow up.
Where to Start? What to do?
1. Simply talk with your baby/toddler/child! Even before they can answer you, discuss your day with them. They love to hear and see your voice and your face!
2. As they grow, continue to discuss your day with them and ask age-appropriate questions about their surroundings, their activities, their day. This builds a wonderful bond of trust and confidence. When your child knows that you are taking time to listen to what they have to say and that you are showing interest in them and you are engaging together, this provides a great sense of comfort and security for them.
3. Be sure to set time aside in your day and week – can be 5-10mins here and there or 30mins at once, if you have the time, be free and not guilty, just allow the time to unfold together as you do jobs/chores, or have time In the car, in the bath, in the kitchen, in the sandpit, on the couch, before bed, going for a walk – children love to talk and ask questions –it truly establishes a precious lifelong learning foundation!
To continue to learn more valuable information on how you can best help and support your child or student, please pop over to www.ricardoreadingmouse.com.au and fill in my weekly email list pop-up form!
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