A lengthy recent article in the New Yorker talks about research on the effects of how much parental talking takes place in various economic classes, and how that affects the learning of those children.
This isn’t all new, in that we know from such organizations as the “Children’s Reading Foundation”, that hearing the parent read/ talk stories helps a child learn. This article emphasizes the correlation between income levels and the amount of parental talking that takes place; the lower the income, the less talking to the children occurs.
The article explores what some are trying to do about that.
[gview file=”https://publicservicesalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Talk-to-Your-Kids.pdf”]
Interacting with young children is incredible since the growth is so fast. My grandson at 16 months is constantly talking while we play. Most of the talk is still gibberish but he points and makes faces so I know he is engaged. He constantly is bringing me what he calls “the book” to read, plops down on my lap and never is tired of repetition.
He also learned to sign at daycare which seems to take away much frustration in communication when language is still new. He can sign “more” and smiles when we provide whatever he is asking for.
As a former teacher, I’m aware of how to talk with Henry, but I am curious how to do this when I’m communicating with him using FaceTime and I can not sit on the floor and play with him. A great experiment for grandma and grandson.