Building Language Skills at The Academy of Burkitt Commons
Have you noticed your child coming home after a day at The Academy of Burkitt Commons with new words that amaze you? Well, don’t be amazed because children’s brains are highly receptive to new information at this age. At The Academy, we have several effective strategies that we use to enhance language development in young children. (The more you learn about The Academy, the more you are going to love it.)
The Academy of Burkitt Language Building Techniques
We want to share the language building techniques we use at daycare so you can use them at home too. Encouraging your child to interact with you and siblings at home enforces what we do at daycare. In this blog, we share four techniques with you.
1. Sing Songs and Rhymes
We integrate songs and rhymes into our day, every day. They introduce children to the sounds and rhythms of the language in a fun and engaging way. Repetition inherent in songs and rhymes also helps children remember words and phrases, aiding in vocabulary acquisition. Singing songs together at home (with a little dancing thrown in too) is as much fun as it is educational.
2. Create a Language-Rich Environment
A language-rich environment is a must. We surround the children with spoken and written words throughout the day. We literally immerse them in words—reading aloud, labeling objects around the classroom, and displaying printed words at eye level. This helps expand vocabulary and the understanding of language structure.
3. Read-Aloud Interactively
Interactive read-aloud sessions are more than just reading to children; they involve engaging children with the text. We ask predictive questions, encourage children to talk about the story, and connect the book’s events to the child’s own experiences. This actively involves children in the storytelling process, which promotes comprehension and critical thinking.
4. Encourage Expressive Language
By asking open-ended questions that require more than yes or no answers, we encourage expressive language. For instance, instead of asking, “Did you have fun today?” we might ask, “What was your favorite part of the day, and why?” Such questions prompt children to think and verbalize their thoughts, fostering their expressive language skills.