Supporting Language Development (E4.2.16)

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Sub Category: Language and Communication: Listening, Speaking, and Vocabulary Observable Competencies
Credential Level: Level 3 • Age Group: Infant, Toddler, Pre-K

COMPETENCY STATEMENT

Uses a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development, such as talking about:
• nature
• their home and school environment
• families
• communities
• books
• shared experiences
• personal interests”

DEFINITIONS

Rich conversations throughout the day help children build communication and language skills. Teachers use age-appropriate techniques aligned with state early learning guidelines, engaging children in discussions about nature, their home and school environment, families, communities, books, shared experiences, and personal interests. These varied topics give children meaningful reasons to listen, speak, and expand their vocabulary.

EXAMPLES

Supporting Language Development
Age Group: Infant

In this exemplar video, a teacher and infant explore a book together while identifying and naming pictures on the pages. Notice how the teacher uses descriptive language, labels familiar animals, and responds to the infant’s gestures to support communication and vocabulary development –an example of using a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development.

Supporting Language Development
Age Group: Infant

In this exemplar video, a teacher supports infants as they explore musical toys together and introduces new vocabulary connected to their play experience. Notice how the teacher uses age-appropriate conversations and descriptive language, including words such as vibration, to support children’s communication and language development –an example of using a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development.

Supporting Language Development
Age Group: Infant

In this exemplar video, a teacher and infant explore a book together while identifying and naming pictures on the pages. Notice how the teacher uses descriptive language, labels familiar animals, and responds to the infant’s gestures to support communication and vocabulary development –an example of using a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development.

Supporting Language Development
Age Group: Toddler

In this exemplar video, a teacher engages toddlers in an outdoor investigation using magnifying glasses to closely observe a piece of wood. Notice how the teacher asks questions about what the child sees, encourages the child to point to features on the wood such as a mouth, and sustains the conversation through observation and discussion. The teacher uses the hands-on exploration to build vocabulary and encourage verbal interactions throughout the activity –an example of using a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development.

Supporting Language Development
Age Group: Toddler

In this exemplar video, teachers engage toddlers in a circle-time activity focused on the emotion happy. Notice how the teachers use the song, “When I Am Very Happy,” and a paper plate puppet displaying a happy face to introduce and reinforce emotion vocabulary. The teachers encourage children to smile and say “cheese” as they participate in the discussion about feeling happy –an example of using a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development.

Supporting Language Development
Age Group: Toddler

In this exemplar video, a teacher engages toddler children in an interactive read-aloud about emotions and perseverance. Notice how the teacher asks questions about the story illustrations, encourages children to identify how characters feel, and expands on children’s responses by saying, “She fell down,” and “No, she looks angry.” The teacher connects the story to children’s experiences by asking, “Do you fall down sometimes?” and “How do you feel when you fall down?” to encourage conversation and build vocabulary related to feelings and experiences –an example of using a variety of age-appropriate techniques consistent with state early learning guidelines to support communication and language development.

WAYS TO PRACTICE