From singing traditional Dutch children’s songs with your child to going shopping together and talking about everything you come across. Did you know that all of this contributes to a young child’s language development? Educational scientist Romina de Lima explains how you can stimulate young children’s language development to prevent language delays later on.
Researcher Romina de Lima remembers her parents singing to her a lot throughout her childhood. 'We sang everything from "Altijd is Kortjakje ziek" to "Poesje mauw" (traditional Dutch children’s songs). I really enjoyed that as a child. Without realising it, my parents were stimulating my language development.'
From singing songs to talking
When it comes to young children’s language development, many people think of reading picture books aloud. But singing songs or talking about what’s on the shelves whilst out shopping is more helpful than you might think. These activities are an essential part of young children’s language development. After all, learning to read and write properly doesn’t just start in the third year of primary school, but in the very first years of life.
'Parents are a child’s first teachers'
Romina de Lima
Educational scientist
The researcher explains how this works: 'In academic circles, this is referred to as emerging literacy, and within this we distinguish three types of skills. Firstly, the realisation that you can convert written language into sounds and meaning, and vice versa. In addition, you develop a vocabulary and learn to understand stories. Finally, there is phonological awareness: the ability to recognise sounds in spoken language and play with them, for example by rhyming.'
Together, these three skills form the basis for learning to read. 'If young children struggle with these skills, they will find it almost impossible to catch up later on. So, differences start to emerge long before they reach the third grade,' explains De Lima.
Why parents are particularly important during early childhood
'These children aren’t in school yet. So, you could say that parents are a child’s first teachers,' explains De Lima. For some parents, it is difficult to stimulate their child’s language development. For example, because they themselves have low literacy skills, or don’t realise how important this is for their child. Fortunately, according to De Lima, there is growing attention being paid to stimulating the language development of young children. For example, through pre-school and early years education at daycare centres. Or through support provided to families at home.
Romina de Lima’s research explained in a short video
In the Netherlands, 1 in 9 parents of children under the age of 18 has low literacy skills. Children who grow up with parents who have low literacy skills are a third more likely to have low literacy skills themselves later in life. But there is hope: if children grow up in a stimulating environment, their parents’ literacy levels are less of a factor. So, if parents with low literacy manage to create a ‘rich language environment’ for their child, the children often grow up ‘just like anyone else’ to become literate adults.
Research to prevent low literacy
In one of her studies, De Lima examines the use of digital picture books to stimulate language development. The digital picture book takes over the reading-aloud part, so parents do not have to read to their child themselves. Interactive questions have also been added to encourage parents and children to talk. These questions are tailored to the story and the child’s stage of development. De Lima: 'For many parents, asking questions comes naturally, but for many others it doesn’t. Our hope is that with these books we can take the reading out of their hands, leaving room for interaction and shared activities.'
According to the researcher, an early intervention to prevent language delays yields significant benefits: 'It levels the playing field for all children. Young children are naturally keen to learn a language, but they need input from their environment. All parents can help with this, even those who have low literacy skills themselves.'
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