LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENTGrade 11 Family Studies

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT A child’s gradual mastery of language

is perhaps the most striking cognitive change. It is also the one most easily observed.

ENJOYING THE FUN OF LANGUAGE School age children take pride in saying

long words such as antidisestablishmentarianism.

They may not know what it means but they have fun showing others that they know how to pronounce it. They are also beginning to use codes, passwords, and secret languages in group play with their friends.

ENJOYING THE FUN OF LANGUAGE Their vocabulary is growing fast. By the

age of 10 the average child knows more than 5,000 words and by age twelve more than 7,000. New words are acquired in all sorts of ways: from tv, books, conversations, and school.

BEING BILINGUAL Has a number of advantages

Children learn language quickly (faster than adults) More competent in math (being bilingual helps with

abstract thinking) The child may seem to be slower than other

children to develop speech but it is just because they are learning two words for each concept at the same time.

They will often become very skilled in both languages.

SPEECH PROBLEMS One of the most common physical

disabilities May include: stuttering, stammering,

garbled speech, repetition of words, and muddled sentences.

Can be due to physical or emotional issues.

SPEECH PROBLEMS Some speech problems stem from hearing

difficulties. If children do not hear well they may not speak properly.

Sometimes physical deformities can interfere with the way a child speaks. Shape of the child’s jaw, lips, palate or teeth

Some speech problems are caused by an injury to the brain or a genetic defect. Therapy can often aid the speech development of children with these conditions.

SPEECH PROBLEMS Emotional problems can also cause

speech problems to develop or increase. Example: Children who are embarrassed

about their speech may become very self-conscious in school and in social situations.

THE KING’S SPEECH Trailer

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS Early detection of speech problems is

important so that children can receive treatment before a problem worsens.

Speech Language Pathologists are specialists who work with speech and language problems.

READING

LEARNING TO READ Most children are ready to learn to read

by second grade, about age seven. Yet even then, their sense of language is gained mainly through the ears rather than the eyes. In the past, children were more likely to amuse and inform themselves by reading.

LEARNING TO READ Today, many children watch television instead,

increasing their reliance on spoken language. If children are often read to as toddlers and

preschoolers, however, they tend to become interested in reading despite the attraction of television. Other literacy experiences—handling books, indentifying and drawing letters, and illustrating ideas—also encourage apprecation for the written word.

LEARNING NEW WORDS Talking with children and listening to

them are the best ways to help them develop language skills. Example: Describing activities that are

taking place. On a shopping trip name objects going into the cart. When cleaning explain vacuuming under or dusting over objects.

READING BOOKS Children enjoy having someone read

books to them. Children also enjoy handling books and looking at them by themselves.

Unfortunately, some popular children’s stories, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes send negative messages, often about male and female roles.

Others can cause false expectations.

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Some day my prince

will come.

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Princes are

handsome, smart and powerful;

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Women are

beautiful, charming and helpless

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Stepparents are

evil.

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Men are rescuers;

women need to be rescued.

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS They lived happily

ever after.

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Only men are

doctors, police, figherfighters, and mailcarriers.

CHILDREN’S BOOK MYTHS Only women are

mothers, nurses, and teachers.