A study in 1980 by Kansas psychologists Betty Hart and Todd Risley determined there was a 32-million-word gap in vocabulary knowledge of four-year-old children from impoverished homes compared to those from more affluent homes. When children are spoken to with more sophisticated vocabulary and longer sentences, and in tones that communicate more meaning, children do better in school. A speaking environment in the home has much to do with setting a tone for success in school and beyond. Avoiding baby-talk and using regular language--even if it incorporates vocabulary they may not know yet (they will ask)--will expedite language development.
In 2001 the National Reading Panel found that children who lacked skills in phonics continually lagged behind their peers, and usually stayed behind. Early exposure to print has much to do with language and literacy development; if it isn't developed by the time children reach elementary school they are likely to stay behind unless they receive quick intervention. Having lots of print around in the home--storybooks, chapter books, magazines--even if children aren't reading yet, furthers language development. Establishing a "print-rich" environment surrounds children with language while familiarizing them with vocabulary, word use and how to access more words when they need to.
Modeling language in the home is instrumental in speech development. Using good grammar and appropriate vocabulary, reading language and asking questions to seek clarification are all ways to create an environment that lends itself to further language development. "Constant stimulation of language will help increase your toddler's vocabulary, understanding, speech-sound development" say the editors at BabiesToday.com. They recommend that parents keep the home environment as stress-free and positive as possible, while modeling good language and reading behaviors.
In 1998, the Department of Experimental Psychology of Oxford University found that brain scans, or "neuroimaging," noted changes in the brains of children in areas that affected speech, word recognition, vocabulary and "grammatical inflections," or how words are spoken. It was determined that a structured, print-rich environment that included "mature language processing" was most conducive to development of the four areas, beginning in infancy. Structured, stress-free environments where language is used frequently and appropriately encourages important brain development that affects language.
An environment that lends itself to listening also furthers language. The ability to listen effectively helps children remember and understand language, which strengthens their skills. Create an environment that fosters listening by being the listener, and model good listening skills. In addition, reading books aloud repetitively and having children fill in words or read along at the same time enhances their ability to listen. Singing songs and rhymes over and over helps memory and listening skills while creating an environment that leads to language development.