Yes, Learning can be Fun
The basics of language development in children

Communication is what humans and animals use to share thoughts, ideas, and emotions. You may be surprised to know that from birth onwards, your child will instinctively communicate with you-- at first by crying and smiling and as time passes by different signals and expressions. A baby first recognizes and bonds with its mother and seeks her guidance in exploring the world. Most early learning stems from the immediate environment, and the parents and caregivers are the first teachers. A baby learns quickly by imitating sounds and words heard each day, songs sung to it, and from toys, books, as well as pictures.

A ready reckoner for you to check your child’s development

As a parent you may spend many anxious moments worrying whether your child is developing well, whether anything is wrong, or worrying about illnesses or learning disabilities. Well, most developmental articles or charts are just general reference points. Some babies grow and pass each stage quickly while others develop slower but do catch up. So, don’t fret if John has not said “ ba, ba or da, da,” when your neighbor’s child born a few days later already has.

Every baby is like a sponge and receptive to things in his or her immediate environment. A baby who has people talking and interacting with him or her all day long tends to learn words faster than children who spend long hours alone in a crib or play pen with toys. As a child grows, its brain too develops along with other systems such as bones, muscles, and motor skills. And, from birth until age three the child absorbs everything around it—sounds, sight, music, words, and more.

As you know, communication begins during the first few days of life—a baby learns quickly that it can seek comfort from its mother and that crying is what gets attention in terms of food, comfort, and companionship. The first sound a baby recognizes is that of its own mother.

So, be prepared for a baby that absorbs sounds and sights quickly, and if you are lucky, the baby at six months of age will make a few basic sounds that form words, and speak a few words of your native tongue.

The progression you will see is from cooing and blowing raspberries the baby will babble and then use repetitive words like ba, ba, or da, da, followed by strings of gibberish and magically at eight months or a year, the baby will start forming proper words. You may have noticed babies that speak two languages at the same time, their mother tongue and English—this is because a small baby when exposed to two different languages constantly begins learning both without a hitch.

Here is what normally happens: from birth to five months a baby reacts to loud sounds, when you move, he follows you around with his eyes and by turning his head, responds when you speak or coo to him , learns to show pleasure as well as displeasure by fussing, crying, giggling, and gurgling.

Then between 6-11 months a baby understands what you say and parrots the sounds -- mouths ba - ba and ma-ma and other syllables-- and communicates with gestures.

Once a baby is between 12-17 months he or she can sit with you and look at picture books, learn to follow what you ask, recognize objects, and family members. So, if you say, “Where is dad,” the baby will point to his father. The baby will also speak with two syllable words, and will imitate simple words.

At 18-23 months you will find a great change as many skills are enhanced and the baby loves being read to. He will listen to stories, point to body parts and objects, understand clearly actions like come, open your mouth, eat, and can pronounce vowels, say few words, and ask for things like milk or cookie.

It is from here on that learning is rapid. So, it is important for the parents and care givers to optimize learning during this phase.

You can don the mantle of a teacher to optimize learning

Since ancient times, parents have held a child’s hand and taught him or her everything they know. Skills and ways to earn a living were handed down from father to son and mother to daughter. In the fast paced and ever changing world of today, you must know how a child learns in order to help it develop appropriate language skills.

The first step is to make time for the child in your busy schedule. Rework your life to give priority to the child. Spend quality time and read as well as sing songs to the child everyday. You could play soft music and other tapes like chants and so on in the child’s room at specific times each day. Music enhances memory and learning.

Speak to the child and give the child time to respond. Make everyday activities a learning time—introduce names of foods, point to the bath tub and say bath, show the child the sponge or soap, help the child recognize the animals and toys in the bath by introducing things like “ baby duck—quack, quack.”

Children listen, they learn how to discriminate specific sounds, and then they associate sound with actions, and finally put together sounds with what they actually mean.

Be vigilant at all times. If you have any doubts or notice any problems please consult a doctor.

Play “follow the leader”

Well have you thought of things you can do to encourage speech and language development? Well you don’t need special training or courses to do this. Think about it—you smile and the baby smiles at you. So, if you play “follow the leader” your baby will ape whatever you do and unconsciously learn.

So, you must make faces at and sounds like ma, da, ba, and so on at the baby. Strike a conversation with the baby while feeding, bathing, or bonding with the baby. Tell the baby what is happening and all about other family members and pets. Help the child recognize objects and colors by saying things like, “Ah nice red ball, or cuddly brown bear.” Don’t just use single words say, “Mama loves baby.”

Read to the child from colorful books with big pictures. Put up nice attractive postures and show baby different things. Let baby pet the dog gently and say “nice dog.” And, as the child grows, introduce adult language into baby talk. Replace din-din with dinner and so on. Play memory and recognition games like introducing the child to a series of pictures and soon the child will recognize the pictures. After a while, mix up the series and see whether the child is still able to identify the pictures. Ask questions and wait for an answer even if it is a nod. Say “Do you want to wear a blue suit today?” Or, “shall we take ducky for a bath?” Don’t be surprised but the child will answer the question with actions or single words when around 2-4 years old. First words become sentences and then whole conversations, the baby you brought into the world would have mastered language and communications.

The key to success is to love your child dearly, create an indelible bond of trust, and hold his hand until he is self-confident and secure. You, the parent are the first teacher and you must set aside precious time to listen to the child, talk to the child, interact by reading, playing, and singing songs. With your help he will be able to climb every peak.

Interactive Learning Tools

Innovations in learning have been in existence since time immemorial. Early humans used the walls of the caves to express themselves and teach young ones. With time, humans used beads, terracotta plaques, and Abacus counters to teach. Colorful blocks and cards were used in memory games to sharpen retentive skills as well as recognition in children.

With the many innovations in technology and the fast pace life is taking, age-old methods of crooning songs while sitting with the child on a rocking chair, or spending hours just conversing with a child are fast changing. What is popular is interactive teaching materials that are fun, CDs and DVDs from companies like Smart Neurons and several other companies make learning a fun process. These are specially designed by language experts to enrich a child’s vocabulary of words while simultaneously placing them in the appropriate context. The CDs and DVDs are more than interesting, they stimulate natural language and promote learning through play.

Computer based programs and audio-visual learning material offer what are known as active learning systems. These offer challenges and create curiosity in children apart from aiding the development of motor and other co-ordination skills. Most toys are made such that both the parent and child can play together. The time spent together increases love and bonding and the playing promotes the development of your child’s cognitive, motor, social, and language skill sets.

Remember when you play, let the child take the lead. You must not complete tasks for the child or take the lead. Try and be a partner and playmate. Be on level physically as well as mentally with the child. Stay focused always and pay full attention to the task on hand.

Stay One Step Ahead

You will benefit if you make an effort to find out all you can about language development. There are self-help books as well as web sites and articles written by experts.

It is important to understand that the learning curve for every child is unique. Some talk early while others do so a little later but most do catch up. So, don’t be anxious and try and push the child. If in doubt, ask the doctor. Plan to spend quality time with the child, listen to the child’s moods and choices. Introduce laughter and joy by singing action songs, making comic faces, and playing “pat-a-cake.”

Observe the child and jot down your thoughts. Celebrate each word and sign learnt. Cuddle the child and show your love. Most children crave attention –provide your child with a secure world --- create a circle of love. Parenting becomes easy if love comes first followed by a deep understanding of the child.

Author Information:

Article was contributed by Smart Neurons www.smartneurons.com . Smart Neurons offers kids’ educational software, video and other educational aids. Our products encourage critical thinking, imagination and leadership skills and are targeted to enhance a child’s educational experience. Children are encouraged to explore the world around them through fun and engaging activities. Through our products and software, Preschool children use their observations to expand their understanding of the world and develop their ability to express themselves.