Build a Winner: Put Your Child on the Right Track for Education by Working Together, Oral Language/Vocabulary

 By Roslyn Haber and Marlyn Press

Roslyn A. Haber, Ed.D and Marlyn Press, Ed.D are Associate Professors at Touro College Graduate School of Education 

Getting your child ready for success in school is a joint project of parents and professionals.  Here are some simple, helpful suggestions to jump start your child's learning.

Having a good vocabulary and speaking correctly are important skills for school success.  Research has documented that the larger one's vocabulary, the better one understands what s/he reads and this impacts children's academic success throughout their school career.   How can you help your child?  Here are some suggestions.

1. Even before your child can speak, speak to your child.  Let him/her hear the sounds of the language and be exposed to words.  As your child develops language, encourage him/her to use new words that are heard, and to speak in longer and more complex sentences.  This can be done in any language spoken at home.  Research shows that whatever the language spoken at home, if your child has a well-developed vocabulary and good grammar, these skills transfer to English.
2. Play word games with your child.  Read rhyming poetry and encourage your child to come up with his/her own rhymes. 
3. Visit libraries.  Attend any children's programs that are available.  Ask librarians for suggestions of books to be read to and with children.  Use the library programs as a model for your own reading to children.
4. Read to your child daily.  Make it a special time together.  Use humor and expression in your voice.  Change your voice as you read different characters.
5. Make sure your child has listening skills.  Good listening skills increase learning and help the child understand correct routines in school.  Read a story and ask your child questions relating to the story.  Start developing your child's ability to sequence and follow directions by giving one step directions and moving to two to three step directions.  Be specific as to what you want the child to do.  For example, say, "Please get the red pencil," not just "Get the pencil."
6. Help your child develop good speech habits.  Have him/her repeat words and phrases so that they are clear.  Have your child learn and say nursery rhymes and songs to develop oral fluency and appropriate voice volume. 
7. Use any and all daily activities as an opportunity to increase language skills.  For example, take your child food shopping and discuss the names of different foods, their characteristics and how they are served.  When taking a walk, look at and discuss the different people and buildings you pass.  Have children help sort laundry to develop categorization skills.  Have children describe what they see when they travel.  Discuss different types of transportation and use the word "transportation".