Blog Post 7

The articles assigned for this week are about ways to enable children to utilize their language skills. This is something that is generally thought of as an easy thing to do, however, many people, parents included, don't know how to enable children to use their language skills. The articles provide a sense of guidance on how to do that. A great way to do this is to converse freely with your children instead of simply asking a question, then giving the answer. Many parents don't realize that is what they are doing when they ask their children something. Whether it's patience, or not, parents often cut their children off without giving them an opportunity to provide an answer. The best way for children to expand their knowledge is to find the answer on their own, without the assistance of their parents. Of course, parents can provide guidance, such as how to utilize appropriate language skills in certain settings, but for the most part, children need to figure out the response on their own. 

A great way for children to learn more is to establish a routine, but change it every once in a while. Children get bored with a routine, just like everyone else. They need something to stimulate their brain, therefore changing their routine can provide that stimulation. I think the idea of "self-talk" can actually play into this. When you switch up the vocabulary you use, using different words in different settings, constantly talking, the child's brain is more stimulated. I've always personally felt that children's personalities reflect the amount of conversational stimulation they received from their parents or home life. Self-talk is a way that conversation can be ongoing, and vocabulary can be easily attained.