Child Development
Child development provides parents with information on physical, mental and emotional growth and development in children. Child development information can help parents know when they are expecting too much from a child as well as become aware of lags in development that may benefit from professional help.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Emerging Literacy for the Preschoolers

Knowing typical and common language development characteristics helps the teacher understand that children are unique individuals. Rapid growth of vocabulary and language skills is part of normal growth. Errors in the speech of young preschoolers make verbalizations partly understandable. Key words in the correct order give adults clues to what’s intended. Self-talk during the child’s play usually describes what the child is doing and may alternate with social comments.

Teachers can use their knowledge of early childhood language development in many ways, such as alerting the staff about a child’s need for hearing tests or special help and helping parents who are concerned with their child’s speech patterns.

Older preschool children have to almost adult-like speech. They explore words and begin to understand their power. Fantasy play peaks accompanied by speech. Some newly learned speech may be irritating to school staffs and parents, but it can indicate enjoying books occupies more of the children’s time. Exploring the real and make-believe words with words becomes children’s active pursuit during the early childhood years.

There is no ”average” child when it comes to language development; individual differences exist and are treated with acceptance and optimism.