Describing and labeling objects can be a useful tool in stimulating early language learning in children. This strategy involves having children describe and label things, which teaches them to make logical connections through practice and experience. It is better to use real objects, rather than flashcards for describing and labeling. This strategy is designed to create a meaningful and tangible method of language education.
People experience language in a relationship context between speaker and listener. Children are no different; therefore, it is important to create the proper relationship context to encourage early language development. An empathic language partner is important because children want to communicate when it is pleasant to communicate. Reinforcing a loving feeling from communication will encourage early language development. Children also require an interactive language partner. This includes responses to a child's communication, which will reinforce the importance of communication in obtaining goals and acknowledgment.
Nonverbal communication is also important to early language development in children. Even when a baby is too young to speak, parents can still help in early language development through responding to the baby's nonverbal communications--for example yawning, which means the baby is tired or bored. When a baby turns away, he may be communicating that he does not wish to interact at the moment. By responding to nonverbal communication, adults are teaching the effectiveness and importance of communication.
Self-talk and parallel talk are two important strategies for stimulating early language learning in infants and toddlers. When adults describe tasks they are engaged in while with an infant or toddler, it is known as self-talk. This helps connect an action with language, emphasizing the importance of words as a communication tool. On the other hand, parallel talk is when an adult talks about what the infant or toddler is doing. This ties language to actions done by the child and also stimulates early language learning.