Chatter Matters: Building a Language-Rich Home

Every word counts.

Babies are social beings and love to communicate with people. Before they can use words, they communicate through gestures. They make eye contact, they wiggle their noses and smile. Holding their arms out often means "I want to be picked up".

And you are the primary source of language.

Here's how to build a language-rich home, from my years as a Nursery Principal.

Chatter Matters 🗣️

• Describe the world around you.
• Any moment is a learning moment.
• Use proper words. Wow words!
• Encourage self-expression.
• Imitate a conversation, and echo back their words.
• Don't forget to include silence. That's processing time.

Children want to be included in the communications of daily life.

Everyday Moments to Talk 🛒

• Increase language during daily care, like nappy changes, bath time and getting dressed.
• Shopping: name the items as they go in the trolley.
• Cook and eat together.
• Play I Spy.
• Offer two choices: "Would you like blue or red?"
• Give one item and wait for "more".

Every Word Counts 💛

Value every utterance. Little ones need to know that what they have to say will be acknowledged and valued.

Children do not learn language well by being corrected or criticised.

Please don't say "Say dog!" Very few children like to perform, and it doesn't help language grow.

Conversation Tips ☕

• Follow your child's lead. Talk about what they're interested in.
• Give thinking time. Wait for them to put their thoughts into words, without jumping in too soon.
• Add words. Your child says "Brush dolly hair", you say "Yes, you're brushing dolly's hair."
• Ask open questions with many possible answers.
• Play with sound. "What was that noise?" builds listening skills.
• Chat tennis. Back and forth, back and forth.

Vocabulary Baskets 🧺

Fill a basket with real objects to touch, feel and explore.

1. Name it as you take it out. Turn it, feel it, say it, describe it. Say it loud, say it quiet, repeat.
2. "Can you find me the...?" They don't need to say it, just find it.
3. Hide the objects and hunt for them.
4. Extend the learning. What sound does it make? What type is it?

Books and Rhymes 📚

Nursery rhymes encourage listening skills. Rhythm and rhyme from birth help kick-start the auditory processing centres, and children who learn the words of songs easily often take to reading more easily.

• Books about daily life and the real world
• Classic tales
• Lift-the-flap books with beautiful images
• Books with a sequence. Toddlers love order!
• Make book shops and libraries part of your routine.
• Don't be afraid to read the same story over and over again.

Screen Time 📱

Young children do not learn language from a screen. Language develops from eye contact and face-to-face time, using all five senses.

• Under 18 months, screens offer no benefits.
• After 2 years, a maximum of one hour a day.
• Choose quality programmes, not YouTube, and talk about what they're watching.
• Keep screens away from mealtimes and shopping. Those are talking times!

Screens are not babysitters.

Possible Red Flags 🚩

There is a wide range of "normal", and a slight delay in one area doesn't necessarily mean a speech or language delay. But do speak to your doctor if, by around 2, your child:

• doesn't say at least 6 words
• shows little interest in social interaction
• is hard for you, or a stranger, to understand more than half the time
• doesn't use language to express needs
• doesn't follow simple instructions
• only repeats words back, like a parrot
• doesn't point to at least one body part when asked
• doesn't babble very often
• doesn't copy gestures such as waving bye-bye
• can't communicate needs by gesturing or pointing

💛 Wondering about your little one's talking? You don't have to work it out on your own. Book a Free Discovery Call and let's talk it through together: https://www.thepottyqueen.me/free-call

With love, Principal Lisa x