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Language Development & Communication
Promoting Communicating & Speaking
WiseTip: LD-COM-M0003-E01A

Read books with interesting sounds to your baby. Look for books containing rhymes and interactive elements.

0-3 months
Environment
WHY IT MATTERS

Reading between the parent and child has been linked to children’s language and social-emotional development.

1
  1. Fletcher, K. L., & Reese, E. (2005). Picture Book Reading with Young Children: A Conceptual Framework. Developmental Review, 25(1), 64–103.
It is beneficial to have a
print-rich environment

Print-Rich Environment - A print-rich environment with labels, signs, logos, and visual displays helps children construct knowledge about print. When the children understand that print has meaning, they learn about how the meanings of written language, and it will motivate them to read.

from infancy with ongoing access to books and reading as this also helps to develop children’s language ability.
2
  1. Lawhon, T. (2000). Creating Language and Print Awareness Environments for Young Children. Contemporary Education, 71(3), 5.
 Reading to infants stimulates listening and language skills.
3
  1. Kupetz, B., & Green, E. (1997). Sharing books with infants and toddlers: Facing the challenge. Young Children, 52(2), 22–27.
 Holding infants and showing them the pictures helps with eye focusing.
2
  1. Lawhon, T. (2000). Creating Language and Print Awareness Environments for Young Children. Contemporary Education, 71(3), 5.
 Reading with infants and toddlers also helps parents to be sensitive to the level of children’s language development and helps them to better pitch their language to the children’s ability. This has effects on later literacy and learning.
4, 5

  1. Fletcher, K. L., Cross, J. R., Tanney, A. L., Schneider, M., & Finch, W. H. (2008). Predicting Language Development in Children At Risk: The Effects of Quality and Frequency of Caregiver Reading. Early Education & Development, 19(1), 89–111.

  2. Kupetz, B. N. (1993). A Shared Responsibility: Nurturing Literacy in the Very Young. School Library Journal, 39(7), 28–31.