The Nebraska Department of Education states that the development of communication skills in young children is a major factor in literacy development. Children who grow up in language- and print-rich environments tend to have better communication and literacy skills than those who do not. The first three years of a child's life are a crucial formative period in language and literacy development.
Infants and Communication
From the first time an infant cries, he is learning the connection between making a sound and getting a response. Within three months, most parents recognize a variety of sounds with different meanings. By around six months, many babies progress from cooing sounds to monosyllabic, repeated sounds. Around age 1 year, babies can often speak a few basic words, respond to simple instructions and try to imitate the speech of others. According to the Mayo Clinic, most children have a vocabulary of about 8 to 10 words by 18 months.
This is an important period of brain development and formation, a time when a baby is absorbing important information about communication and language information. The NDE recommends verbally interacting with your baby as much as possible. Help him form associations by pointing at an object and saying its name. Though children cannot read at this age, they learn about the use of books when you read to them. Use animated voices and make verbal associations with the pictures on each page.
Toddler Language
Between ages 18 and 24 months, children begin using more complex communication methods. They may ask basic questions, request a favorite object by name and understand simple commands such as "pick up the toy." At age 2, most children have a vocabulary of about 50 words. Often, parents may understand what a child is saying while strangers cannot. The physical speech mechanism is still developing, so children at this age do not enunciate as adults do.
Toddler Literacy
Continue reading to your child frequently. At this age, he is learning how to hold a book and turn pages, and he may pretend to read. When you read the same books repeatedly, a child makes associations between your words and the events on each page. He is beginning to grasp the concept that each book tells a different story. Interactive books with textures and sounds help hold a child's interest.
Preschool Language
Vocabulary and communication skills increase rapidly at around age 3. Many children can state their name and age when asked. They are beginning to grasp concepts including gender and numbers. Children often confuse pronouns such as "me" and "I" until about age 4. Most 4-year-olds have a vocabulary of 1,000 to 2,000 words.
Emergent and Early Readers
Children ages 4 to 6 are typically what educators call emergent readers. They can name and recognize some letters and sounds. They often "read" by repeating and may have memorized a favorite book. Predictable, illustrated stories with word play such as rhyming and alliteration are useful books at this stage.
Many children are considered early readers. They recognize basic printed words and can "sound out" some words. They use illustrations as context clues. Literacy strategies for early readers include modeling and guided reading.
References
- Nebraska Department of Education: Language and Literacy Development
- Mayo Clinic: Infant Development -- Speech Milestones from Birth to 24 Months
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Speech and Language
- KidsHealth: Communication and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old
- Bank Street College's Guide to Literacy: Early Literacy Development
