Explain, with the support of reliable sources, TWO factors that can promote oral language development in young children.
1. Interaction with adults and peers: One important factor that can promote oral language development in young children is the amount and quality of interaction they have with adults and peers. Research has shown that children learn language best through interaction with others, especially when they are actively engaged and participating in conversations. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), talking and reading to young children, engaging them in conversations, and providing them with opportunities to play and socialize with others can help promote their language skills.
In a study published in the journal Child Development, researchers found a strong correlation between the amount of talk children hear from adults and their language abilities. Children who were engaged in more conversation with adults had better language skills, as they were exposed to more words and had more opportunities to practice using language in meaningful ways. Similarly, peer interactions can also play a crucial role in language development, as children learn from one another and practice their language skills through play and social interactions.
2. Exposure to rich language experiences: Another factor that can promote oral language development in young children is exposure to rich language experiences in a variety of contexts. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), providing children with a language-rich environment that includes books, songs, rhymes, and storytelling can help support their language development. Additionally, exposing children to diverse vocabulary, language structures, and communication styles can help expand their language skills and promote their overall language abilities.
Research has shown that children who are exposed to rich language experiences from an early age tend to have stronger language skills and better academic outcomes later in life. For example, a study published in the Journal of Research in Reading found that children who had access to a variety of books and were read to frequently at home had higher levels of language and literacy skills compared to children who had limited exposure to books and reading. Therefore, providing young children with a wide range of language-rich experiences can help support their oral language development and lay a strong foundation for future language and literacy skills.