New Questions About Learning Language: Nouns vs Verbs?

by Holly F. Language Development

 

parts_of_speech

Source: erinandadrianne.blogspot.com

Not all words are created equal, especially when learning language. This is why baby’s first word probably isn’t “clap” or “jump.” Not because they’re hard to say exactly, but because they are verbs and according to a new study from researchers at Northwestern University, the acquisition of different parts of speech (nouns or verbs) might be shaped by the language a child is acquiring.  Some suggest that infants learn nouns and verbs similarly and their acquisition is universal. Others, however, argue that learning nouns first is a consequence of the specific language a child is learning. Is speech and language development universal? And how does this impact speech therapy across cultures and among bilingual clients?

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Are They Ready for Preschool? What A Child Should Know

by Holly F. Language Development

 

benefits of preschool graphic

Source: theprivatepreschool.blogspot.com

Children start preschool at all different ages. While they usually start at three or four years old, many start a little earlier and some will skip preschool all together. Children with special needs on an IFSP might start at three if they qualify for special education services and will likely need speech therapy, occupational, physical or other services. If your child is not on an IFSP and you are deciding whether they should start, consider the value of preparing your child for kindergarten, the social and the academic benefits of preschool. A good set of skills to have before preschool include:

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Read My Lips: How Babies Learn to Speak by Watching You

by Holly F. Language Development

baby looking at mom

Source: tutortime.com 

Babies have a lot to learn. Sitting up, how to grasp a toy, who is “mommy?” eating foods, and most importantly, how to learn to speak. Learning language is the coordination of many skills – the brain must interpret the sounds and words it is hearing and map that onto objects and actions in the environment. What you might not expect, however, is that for babies it’s just as important to read lips as it is to hear the language. New research suggests that babies learn to speak while watching other’s lips.

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Language Development in Toddlers is About More Than Instruction

by Holly F. Language Development News
Inside a Toddler's Brain

Source: themommyproject.com

When it comes to teaching toddlers new words, a hands-off approach might be all right.  The results of a new study from the Journal of Applied Science may shed light on how young children learn new words and what parents and therapists can do to help in speech therapy.  The results indicate direct for language development in toddlers, explicit instruction might not always be the best for learning new words.

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How Dads Make a Big Difference in Language Development for Kids

by Holly F. Language Development

 

Statistics on involved fathers

Source: beingdadpodcast.com

 

As a graduate student studying speech therapy, I repeatedly observed the phenomena of “dada” as a child’s first word. All the students in my playgroup seemed to have “dada” down, which inevitably made the moms a little upset. After all, why does dad get first billing? I remember my professor saying it was a common occurrence in her experience because often times, mother’s spend a lot more time talking about dad, “when will daddy be home?” “Look daddy’s here!” and that repeated modeling and talking about dad reinforced the meaning of that word. Even though we can expect the “muh” and “duh” sounds to both be early developing sounds, there is just something special about dads. While mother’s have a significant impact on development – and it has been well established that various maternal characteristics (education) influence vocabulary, it’s also important to examine the role of dads in a child’s development. And as it turns out, their part is very important.

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Too Many Temper Tantrums? Why Better Language Matters in Preschoolers

by Holly F. Language Development
Language of Emotions Color Wheel

Source: batonrougecounseling.net

Tired of too many time outs? It might not be your preschooler’s fault entirely. New research published in the journal of Child Development suggests temper tantrums might be tied to language abilities in preschoolers. According to the longitudinal study from Penn State, toddlers with more developed language skills are better able to manage frustration and less likely to express anger by the time they’re in preschool. This news highlights the importance of speech therapy techniques in early childhood that can reduce frustrations resulting from the inability to communicate effectively. Without the proper words, children can struggle to express emotions and feelings during times of frustration.

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3 Pretend Play Apps that Help Stimulate Language

by Holly F. Language Development Speech Therapy Techniques
How games can help kids learn

Source: dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/

When you think of your fondest childhood memories, do they involve pretend play? Mine do. Dress up, doctor, grocery store, teacher and beauty parlor to be specific. Child development experts know this isn’t just any childhood activity, pretend play serves a purpose in fostering language skills and cognitive development in children. For children with language disorders, pretend play is a great therapy technique. Today, however, you don’t need a set of dolls and teacups – the great people at Toca Boca have developed a line of pretend play apps. Now you can have a birthday party, tea party, build a robot and style your hair – without all the usual play props. Using your iPad, parents looking to incorporate at-home speech and language therapy activities, should consider using these great apps.

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Little Einsteins – Three Easy Things Parents Can Do To Boost Children’s IQ

by Holly F. Language Development

Forget the toys and gimmicks that promise to make your baby smarter, research published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science show three key things you could do to raise your child’s IQ. Part of being a profession that provides speech therapy services is knowing what factors influence a child’s cognitive and emotional development. This study highlights essential elements for cognitive and language growth in a child’s early, critical years.

 

What makes a child smart

Source: www.teacherportal.com

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Developmental Delay Alert: Is Mountain Living Dangerous To Your Baby’s Brain?

by Jacky G. Language Development News
High altitude and developmental delays

Image source: TheSun.co.uk

For children who are born and live in high altitude regions, researchers have discovered a link between extreme altitudes and developmental delays. This may lead to an increased need for speech therapy techniques and practitioners in the affected areas. The study, by Dr. George Wehby, Professor of Health Management and Policy at University of Ohio, analyzed the developmental health of over 2,100 South American children looking for neurodevelopmental issues. The findings were staggering.

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Texting Dangers Extend Beyond Impaired Driving, Impact Language Skills

by Jacky G. Language Development
Texting Dangers - Teens with Cellphones

Image source: Debaird.net

The holidays are right around the corner and the kids are begging for new smartphones. Buying a new phone takes a lot of research. Even with Black Friday coming up and crazy deals on iPhones, it can take some hunting around to find a great cellphone with a reasonable plan. But before you give in to your youngster’s pleas for a fancy smartphone, consider potential texting dangers like the impact it might have on his language development. According to a couple of studies, “LOL” is no laughing matter, and kids who text frequently place themselves at risk for texting dangers like poor language skills.

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