Communicating and Learning

Table of Contents

  1. Communication and learning in early childhood
    1. Learning to communicate
    2. Early learning
  2. Research related to communicating and learning
    1. The nature of early language development
    2. Supporting language and literacy development
      1. Talking with children
      2. Family early literacy programs
    3. Infant memory
    4. Early mathematical understanding
  3. Practices that support children's communicating and learning
    1. Young children learn best through play
    2. Literacy experiences are important
    3. Physical environments matter
    4. Curriculum can be based on children's interests
  4. References

1.1. Learning to communicate

Humans are prepared to communicate from the moment they are born. Janet Werker explains the remarkable spoken language skills of newborns:

View >> (2:46) not available in this preview

Interestingly, adults seem to also be prepared to speak in a certain way to infants. This is called motherese. Janet Werker describes it in the next clip:

View >> (0:59)

Infants are more responsive to higher pitched voices. Simple, clear enunciation is easier for children to understand. This makes motherese perfectly suited to their auditory preferences. It is also adapted to development. Adults modify their language interactions based on children's growing skill and even deaf parents use a form of motherese when signing to their babies. (Berk,2005). Interestingly, this accommodation on the part of adults is largely unconscious.

The following clip shows 12 month old Jakyri who is just learning to talk.

View >> (2:40)

Reflect

  • Describe all the different ways in which Jakyri communicates in this clip.
  • How does his father support his communication? How well does he understand what Jakyri is trying to say and what does this tell you about their relationship?

 

The following reading provides an overview of current research in language and literacy learning in the early years. It is part of a language and literacy kit recently developed by The Canadian Child Care Federation, in partnership with the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network.

Read >> Language and Literacy … from Birth, for Life: Research Summary