Language-Rich Environment

You can provide children with ample opportunities to hear, see and interact using languages beyond learning activities, routines and transitions. Here are some strategies to create a language-rich environment:

• Use parallel talk: In parallel talk, you can describe the child’s current actions or experiences. For example, you may say, “You look ready to slide down. Whoosh! You went down like a race car!”  

• Use self-talk: In self-talk, narrate your actions and thoughts and invite children to participate in them. For example, you may say, “My tummy is growling. Can you hear it? I’m feeling so hungry, what can I do to get a snack?”

• Read frequently to children: Establish a routine to read daily to children. Read a range of picture books such as stories and information books to introduce them to a wide variety of vocabulary.

• Meaningful conversations: Allow time and space to engage children in conversations about their interests, experiences, and ideas. 

• Exposure to complex or rare vocabulary: Do not be afraid to use complex or rare words that connect to children’s experiences. Here are three ways to incorporate such words into your conversations with them:

  • Talk about past or future events

  • Talk about pretend scenarios 

  • Talk to connect different events, concepts or objects