Myth: Children learn language by themselves, by observing adults having conversations.
While it is true that young children develop language skills at a faster rate before 6 years old, it is not something that just happens.
Maria Montessori noticed that the “sensitive period for language” is from birth to 6 o. A sensitive period (for order, language, movement, etc.) is a period in your child’s life when she feels drawn to certain areas or skills. They just have strong motivation to learn something in a certain area.
BUT
It is not true that children can learn a language by just listening to adults having conversations. They need to interact and socialize with other people (adults and peers) to understand social cues, to be motivated to use language, and to understand how language works. They need to learn to make eye contact, to learn that they get a reply when they talk (even when before actually saying words), that their needs and wants are taken into account.
How we talk to our little ones is of utmost importance in the early years of his life. Here are some things that can help:
🗣️ we need to simplify our language (vocabulary and grammar, use shorter sentences, step-by-step instructions)
🗣️ we need to give the baby time to respond to what we say to him (even if he doesn’t talk yet) – so he understands that what he says matters
🗣️ we need to forget about colours, numbers,letters, and focus more on functional language (language that he will be able to use to express his needs, wants, likes)
🗣️ we need to observe our child. It doesn’t matter if the neighbour’s kid knows more words at the same age, it matters what our child can do and how we can help him develop his language skills from that point onward
🗣️ Don’t fake interest in what your child says. Try to find shorter periods of time when you can be present, engaged, and genuinely interested.
What do you think about this?
Have you seen the FREE course (in Romanian atm) for parents of 0-3 year-olds? If not, check it out here.
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