Viva Vitality: Reading is an important part of helping your child learn language

By Amanda Poll on February 28, 2020.

Language is how we use words or gestures to communicate with each other. Anyone who has ever learned a new language knows how difficult it can be – but can you imagine learning a first language? It is a huge task! Reading books together can allow you to have fun with your child and is a great way to introduce new words and sentences.

How to use books to help learn language:

– Read books with simple, brightly-coloured pictures.

– Read books that your child can play with. Young children enjoy books that let them participate such as lift-the-flap books, pop-up books, books with things to feel, and books that make sounds.

– Let your child choose the book and turn to the pages they want to look at. You can read or talk about the pages they choose. This helps keep their interest and children learn best when they’re interested.

– Give your child time to talk about the pictures – name different things and actions you see in the pictures.

– Let your child hold the book and turn the pages. This helps teach your child how handle a book.

– Tell the story in a way your child will understand. You don’t have to read it exactly as it’s written.

– Read a book many times so your child gets to know the story well. This lets your child help in the storytelling! When your child knows the story, let him/her finish different parts (e.g., “Once upon a time, there lived three _________.”)

– Tell the story together. Take turns flipping the pages and talking about the pictures on the page. By taking turns, children learn an important skill they need to carry on conversations.

Get on their level

Have books within your toddler’s reach so they can choose a book to bring to you. Kneel, bend down, sit on small chairs together, or stretch out on the floor when you talk and read with your toddler. Make sure you’re able to look into each other’s eyes when you’re speaking to one another. This makes it easier to imitate your toddler’s actions and words. It also lets them know that you’re interested in what they’re doing or saying.

Talk to a speech-language pathologist if you have any concerns.

Birth to five years of age is an important time for the development of speech, language, and hearing, and these skills are important for later learning and school success. Acting early on any concerns you have in your child’s development is important.

For more information about how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can help, contact your doctor, public health nurse, or other health-care provider.

Reading is an important part of helping your child learn language. Your child is never too young to enjoy books – you can start reading to them right after they are born! Telling stories can help your child build speaking and listening skills. Your library will have a wide variety of books suitable for any age. Remember – children are more likely have a life-long love for reading if they look at and play with books from an early age.

For more information about developing your child’s language skills, visit MyHealth.Alberta.ca

Amanda Poll is a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services. She can be reached by e-mail, amanda.poll@ahs.ca