A review of 103 studies by researchers found that language delivered in the context of an adult–child interaction characterised by adult responsiveness and positive regard helps to scaffold children’s learning and encourage verbal behaviours. This is best done in a natural environment with toddlers.1- Head Zauche, L., Thul, T. A., Darcy Mahoney, A. E., & Stapel-Wax, J. L. (2016). Influence of language nutrition on children’s language and cognitive development: An integrated review. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 36, 318- 333.
275 families of children aged two to 48 months were enrolled in a cross-sectional study of the home language environment and child language development. The study concluded that adult-child conversations are most robustly associated with healthy language development.2- Zimmerman, F. J., Gilkerson, J., Richards, J. A., Christakis, D. A., Xu, D., Gray, S., & Yapanel, U. (2009). Teaching by listening: the importance of adult-child conversations to language development. Pediatrics, 124(1), 342-349.
Hence, parents should be encouraged to provide language input to their children through reading or storytelling as well as engage their children in two-sided conversations. Conversations that help to expand a child’s vocabulary will promote expressive skills and language acquisition. Children with better vocabularies have better language and reading abilities in later life.3- Norris, D. (2017). Comparing Language and Literacy Environments in Two Types of Infant-Toddler Child Care Centers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 45(1), 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0679-9
Expansion on what toddlers are saying and asking open-ended questions helps them to think and be more motivated to communicate their thoughts.4- Gardner-Neblett, N., & Gallagher, K. C. (2013). More than baby talk: 10 ways to promote the language and communication skills of infants and toddlers. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG Child Development Institute.
