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What Are Some Activities That Preschoolers Should Do to Improve Language Development?

Preschool is the last stage before children enter kindergarten and a more focused learning environment. Therefore, preschool marks a very opportune time for a child's language development. While rigorous teaching methods for higher learning institutions may not work so well here, there are some activities educators can use to help their kids develop language skills they will need for later on in life.
  1. Rhyming Songs

    • Teach your kids some rhyming songs. Purchase songs on CD or DVD or write them down on a board and teach them verbally. Recite these rhymes with your kids at least once every day. Use body language to show the song's rhythm, such as shaking your head or clapping your hands. Rhyming helps develop language skills by teaching children the rhythm and flow associated with English. It also helps them become more aware of certain pronounced sounds and learn to distinguish between them.

    Objects

    • Lay out common objects on the floor. Have your children name them and discuss their different qualities, such as size and shape. Group and name objects that go together. For instance, you could put different toys on the floor and group the ones that are the same, such as balls or dolls. This helps develop the ability to differentiate various objects and hones verbal description skills.

    Words

    • Vocabulary plays a large role in language development. Help your children improve their vocabulary skills by introducing new words during story time. Teach unfamiliar words and definitions you come across while reading the story. Enhance vocabulary skills by going over word cards with pictures daily. Expanding vocabulary is crucial to learning the art of conversation and interaction with others.

    Questions

    • Ask your children open-ended questions that require more than a "yes" or "no" answer. For example, during drawing time, ask a child what he is drawing. Then ask why he is drawing it and what it is going to look like when it is finished. This also hones his conversation skills and forces him to think about his responses instead of just saying yes or no.

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