Language is important

According to Mead Johnson, "Language  plays a very important role in a child's intellectual and social development and encompasses the four principles of communication: listening, speaking, reading and writing."

As your baby grows, they also learn how to communicate with you. They are studying all your actions and interpret it with their language. Example they cry and you will came to pick them up.  Your baby need language to communicate with you and other people. Language development is a way for you and your child to have communication. Example, when you look at your baby and play a peek-a-boo your baby will smile or laugh. Your baby will learn to play peek-a-boo with you, setting the stage for using language for social skills.

According to Sheila Viesca, " The environment plays a key role in a child's ability to learn language. His experiences at home, school, and the community will determine the extent of learning."

As a parent you need to provide with love and encouragement to your child. You also need to make sure you build a good environment for your child.

How can you help your child with Language?

• Help your child make the connection with what he sees and what it is called. This will help him improve his speaking vocabulary.
• Improving your child's vocabulary begins at home. Stick pieces of paper on objects around the house with their names written on them. So every time you use them with your kid around, you can help him identify and spell them any time during the day. 
• One of the most difficult principles of communication is writing because it involves identifying letters and the sound they make. To help your child learn how to spell better, make the sound of the letter as you teach him how to write it.
• You can also read aloud the names of your kids toys to enhance his object identification.
• If your child is at his learning peak. You can start with his curiosity by introducing him to the world and by showing him different cultures and people. And you can begin by teaching him different languages.
• Teach nursery rhymes. Research shows this paves the way for reading skills that are best for 3-year old children. 
• You can also describe what you are doing. Example, I am holding a hot coffee.
• Teach your child to raise his mind and heart to God with simple, spontaneous prayers,
• Ask open ended questions to help your child think clearly
• Talk and listen to your child as you play together

As your child grows older they are learning and developing more vocabulary to express their emotions. Using their language skills enables to communicate their feelings without acting out or throwing tantrums.

Tips for Older Children

• Take advantage of family dinners, bed time, and car-ride time to talk
• Encourage kids to do word games such as scrabble and crossword puzzles
• Use the computer or any gadgets for learning tools. Look for language building games
• Open the door to new experiences - dining out, watching movies, sharing your hobbies, and traveling will enhance language development.
• Surf the net to discover the world from the comforts of your home
• Encourage your child to read independently
• Bring your child to bookstores and libraries
• Limit the use of TV and computer. Reading is more productive as it requires more brain power
• Encourage you kids to write letters
• Provide writing tools - pens, paper, dictionary, thesaurus.