Easy Tips to Help You Create a Language Rich Environment

Studies have indicated that creating a rich language environment from birth is important in developing children’s language and cognition. Strategies such as using “baby talk” (child-directed speech), describing what you and your child is doing during an activity, and getting at the child’s level are all important in helping enhance language learning.

However, in our busy lives it can be difficult to remember to do all these things. Here are some easy ideas to help build that language rich environment for your child:

Talking n’ Baking

While baking a dessert for the next birthday party you’re attending be sure to invite your child get in on the fun. You can review the ingredients that you’re going to use, describe the flavours of each ingredient and talk about your actions. “I am slowly pouring the milk into the bowl”. If your little ones are too young to join in, then sit them in their high chairs and have them watch and listen to you while you bake your dessert. Pretend you’re Martha Stewart, sharing all of your baking techniques!

I See

While driving to your next appointment with your child, be sure to talk about all of the different coloured cars or trucks you see on the road. Try to use your child’s name before saying something to him or her, “ Markus, I see a yellow school bus”. Sound excited and make it into a fun game. Before you know it, your little will start telling you what he or she sees on the road!

Drowned in Laundry

Make the chore of doing the laundry a fun language learning opportunity. Have your little one watch or join you in folding the laundry or loading the washer/dryer. Label the types of clothing, the colours you see, or who each clothing item belongs to – “Oh look, I found mommy’s pink t-shirt”.

Chattin’ in the Bath

It’s bath night! This is a great place to talk to your kids, you have an endless list of things to talk about. Talk about the bath toys, “The fish is floating away”, list the steps to getting a bath, “first we fill the tub, then we grab our washcloth, then we add soap..”, or you can play with the water temperature to show cold and warm or hot (but not too hot!)

Language development is important for future cognitive development and academic success, as well as social development. If you are interested in learning more about strategies for creating a great communicative environment, please contact our team of speech-language pathologists and communicative disorders assistants. Our team would be happy to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child’s speech or language development.