Oral Language

All language is communication that consists of sending and receiving messages. Speaking and listening are oral language skills while reading and writing are print-based language skills. Speaking and writing are productive language activities where the language user communicates a thought. Listening and reading are receptive and interpretive language activities where the language user "reconstructs" the meaning of the message.

Oral language is the foundation for learning how to read and write because writing is encoded speech and reading is decoding - turning the written code back into speech. Oral language development is learned naturally through oral language experiences. Generally speaking, the more and varied a child’s early oral language experiences, the greater their level of language development. 

There are many great ways to support oral language development including engaging children in conversations and asking questions. Reading aloud and talking about books are proven to foster oral language development and later literacy skills. Think alouds are another way to support language development. Thinking aloud is narrating what you are doing and thinking. For example, when you are preparing a meal you can share your thoughts as you go. "I'm turning on the oven to preheat it."  

Other ways to support oral language development include:

• Singing songs together
• Playing language and rhyming games
• Joining in dramatic play where you and your child take on imaginary roles such as a customer and server at a restaurant 
• Playing listening games such as Simon Says

In short, anything that engages your child in active listening and speaking builds oral language skills and helps build the foundation for literacy development.