Research: What to teach children before they learn to talk
While daily activities like taking a bath, walking the dog, or playing with siblings may not be the most obvious time for children to learn language, these routines—especially when embedded with meaningful instruction—can help children communicate with others more effectively.
“When we think of language development—of children learning to talk—we often think of when the child says their first words, when they ask a question, or when they tell us what happened,” said Jenny Brown, a professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education.
In a recent article and chapter titled “What to Teach Before Talking: Developing Communication Skills Across Home and Early Learning Contexts,” Brown and her colleagues explore several communication strategies and support systems parents can use at home to help children build on their current language skills through everyday interactions.