Language for life

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is language, the most important communication tool. I’m sure you can remember your child’s first word, we waited patiently for it to be repeated and at that very moment your child learnt the, ‘power of the word’ and made you wait in anticipation.

Language and Literacy is at the heart of all learning. There are many ways you can develop your child’s language, all very enjoyable including:

  • Share a nursery/number rhyme, or a children’s poem
  • Singing rhymes – our children respond to adults better and repeat the rhyme more effectively than seeing it on YouTube or TV
  • Cuddle up with a favourite story and dive into an imaginary world
  • Talk to your child; keep it simple and think about how many words you are using, they will learn from your examples

Early Reading the ‘Pippins’ way

At Pippins Day Care our youngest children are provided with the opportunity to learn their initial phonic sounds. Children can hear the sound and match it to the letters on the page, taking their first steps to decoding the written word.

When the children are ready, they move onto blending the phonic sounds, increasing how many words they can read independently.

You can also support your child’s phonics at home with the following books:

  • Shhh! We have a plan – Chris Haughton
  • Shark in the Park – Nick Sharratt
  • There’s a Bear on my Chair – Ross Collins

We practice phonics and letter formation to encourage early writing, making it fun and enjoyable. Children can make notes in our themed areas; it may be a café, travel agent or restaurant but it will always be a place where creativity blooms and the written and spoken word can be developed.

Inside the Storyteller’s Garden

We simply love books and believe there is no substitute for getting lost with your favourite character. Try it, take the hand of the tiny mouse in the dark, dark wood and go and find the Gruffalo.

Story time is a very special activity when our children (and nursery teachers) can escape the noise and pressures of our digital world. Less is more, good quality text and vibrant illustrations ignite the imagination. Children have to create their own audio and visual effects, a marvellous way of developing spoken vocabulary.

We can then begin to ask simple questions about the books shared, the simple who, what and why questions, the first steps to reading comprehension.

Who can I be today?

All of our children love role-play, whether if be a simple paper crown and a cape to a full superhero costume. Suddenly language changes, voices change and a vocabulary grows, the language of theatre begins.

A particular favourite book of ours to encourage role-play is, ‘Whatever Next’ by Gill Murphy. All you will need for your adventure is a cardboard box and a colander!

Enjoy your child’s language journey.

The following websites offer ideas for developing your child’s language:

www.literacytrust.org.uk

www.ruthmiskin.com

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