Supporting Early Language and Brain Development in Young Children

We know that babies are learning language form the moment they are born. As we learn more about how the brain develops, we have come to learn the importance of talking with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Current research practices for supporting early language and literacy have placed a specific focus on the connections between language and brain development. Dr. Patricia Kuhl from the Institute for Brain and Learning Sciences at the University of Washington has conducted extensive research on early language and brain development. Her work has played a vital role in how we understand the effects of exposure to language at an early age supports the structure of the brain during the most pivotal developmental stage. Additional research from Dr. David Dickinson of The Peabody College at Vanderbilt University explores specific ways adults can support language and literacy in young children through talking and responsive interactions. 85% of brain development takes place during the first three years of a child’s life. Further exploration of the connections between oral language and literacy development show even greater supportive relationships to executive function skills, vocabulary acquisition, and home language and the impact of these on all future learning. By exploring specific techniques for talking and increasing conversational turns to support language development through child-directed speech, narrative talk, reading books, using home language, and storytelling activities adults working with children can support families in providing opportunities to increase the quality and quantity of spoken language through everyday practices.