Principles & PracticesPrincipleLanguage development and learning are promoted when preschool teachers and children creatively and interactively use language. It is essential that children continuously use language in order to further develop their linguistic and academic knowledge. In addition, through the use of language(s) children develop literacy skills which, in turn, enable them to be more competent learners. Teachers should design and implement activities that promote language use as children engage in individual and group activities. Practices- Draw children into conversations as much as possible by exploring the meaning of their ideas.
- Be a good listener and promote the children's talk by smiling, nodding, and saying "hmm," "really," and the like.
- Respond to what the children have said by showing that you understand andprompt more speech.
- Encourage children to role-play and to engage in extended language activities with one another.
- Let the children talk about their feelings. Model this by sharing your feelings with them.
- Model language by playing imitation games in which the child has to do or say what the adult says or what a puppet says. It is important to speak clearly and to model appropriate language for the children.
- Use puppets and flannel board stories to encourage children to participate verbally.
- Encourage children to bring objects from home that can be described and talked about at school. In this way new vocabulary can be tied to the child's experience.
- Verbalize what you are doing as you carry out activities. If the activity is repetitious, repeat your verbal description. This approach helps the child link language to the activity.
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