1. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENTAbigail AndrewsJuly 7, 2012

2. Why is language development so important? It helps a child understand the meaning of wordsand associate them properly. It helps children learn how to appropriatelycombine words, so they can effectivelycommunicate their needs, wants, and desires. Early language development iscritically important for learningto read later 3. Language development builds over time. Infants and young childrenmaster simple expression skillsfirst and then learn to produce more complex sounds and words. 4. Gender development differencesThe National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families has determined that, from anearly age, there are differences in the timeline of development between girls and boys.BoysGirls Advanced visual-spatial abilities Slightly more advanced in vision, (puzzles and eye hand coordination) hearing, memory, smell and touch Prefer activities like climbing andPrefer playing in group or with pushing toy cars around because of siblings which reinforces theiradvanced ability advanced verbal and social skills.Knowing about these differences can help a parent choose activities, depending ontheir childs gender, to encourage a more equalized timeline in their development.Activities to promote under developed Activities to enhance under developedskills in boys include group play and skills in girls include puzzles, legos,games designed to stimulate their fivebuilding blocks, strategy games, andsensesquick reaction activities like catching. 5. Milestones of Development According to The National Institute of HealthBirthTo Simple sounds and 5 Monthscrying 6 monthsTo The use of no and12 monthsmama12 months Simple imitation andTo understanding of words17 months and sounds 6. Milestones of Development According to The National Institute of HealthBy Say and understand 8-1018 Months simple words Between 23 Vocabulary of about 50 Years old words Between 3 -5 Basic colors, numbers, Years old animals, and objects 7. Language learning curve Birth 6yr 8. Experts encourageparents to expose young children to spoken andwritten language in order to help them develop a working vocabulary. 9. Birth to 2 years Identify colors Count items Make animals sounds Use gestures Imitate your baby Encourage vowel andconsonant sounds Play copy me games Read and describepictures in books Talk to your baby 10. 2 to 4 years Ask Yes and No questions Repeat what your childsays Use simple and clearspeech Ask questions with choices Name body parts and theirfunctions Sing and recite songs toteach rhythm and pattern Ask your child to name anobject by what it does 11. 4 to 6 years Full attention duringconversations Use spatial relationships Describe and compareopposites Encourage all attempts tospeak Play pretend Give 2-3 step instructions Build vocabulary and givedefinitions and examples 12. Working Toward MasteryAchieveMasteryTime SpentGet Experienced Get FamiliarLanguage development activitiesAdult modeling is the most important way that children learn and developbeginning language and literacy skills. (Hart & Risley, 2003)