Recognise young children's competence and appreciate their efforts when they show their understanding of new words and phrases.
Sensitively demonstrate pronunciation and ordering of words in response to what children say, rather than correcting them.
Accept and praise words and phrases in home languages, saying English alternatives and encouraging their use.
Plan to talk through and comment on some activities to highlight specific vocabulary or language structures, for example, "You've caught the ball. I've caught the ball. Nasima's caught the ball". This approach is helpful in encouraging all children's developing language skills.
Watch and respond to children's attempts to communicate with you, using voice, facial expressions and gestures.
Talk about what children are doing, have done and will do.
Respond to children's gestures as well as to their vocal communication.
Share photograph albums and remind children about the people and events in them.
Talk about what other people are doing and about people who are not there, for example, "Raj is at school".
Put into words what you think children are trying to tell you.
Repeat children's words and attempts at sentences, adding new information so that they have a chance to see how a longer sentence can be made. For example "Baba upstairs" could become "Yes, Barbara's gone upstairs to get some cream for your sore knee".
Recast (repeat) children's words within longer phrases, adding new information.
Join in games that a child initiates.
Spend time together talking about books and reading short stories, using pictures to help understanding. Ask the children to point to parts of pictures or to tell you what's happening.
Tea time- In the nursery, a group of children share snack time, and the practitioner talks to the baby about her drink [transcript]
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Language for Thinking
Be aware that young children's understanding is much greater than their ability to express their thoughts and ideas.
Linking Sounds and Letters
Encourage young children to explore and imitate sound. Talk about the different sounds they hear, such as a tractor's "chug chug" while sharing a book.
Draw attention to the noises that toys and animals make. Add sounds when playing, sharing a book or to everyday routines. Make animal sounds and other sounds for cars, aeroplanes and trains, and say "Splash!" when you fill a sink.
Draw the children's attention to what is making a particular noise.
Put on tapes of singing, rhymes and favourite stories. Sing along with them. Show children how much you love to hear music and sounds and how much they interest you.
Toddler with doll - In a nursery, a practitioner respects a toddler's interest in a doll as they begin to share a story. [transcript]
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Reading
Use different voices to tell stories and encourage young children to join in wherever possible.
Writing
Discuss with young children what marks represent.
Handwriting
Help young children to develop their manipulative skills by engaging them in activities such as tearing (paper), scribbling, rolling and printing.
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer
00012-2007CDO-EN