How to Promote Expressive Language in Early Childhood Education

 

It is important to know how to promote expressive language in early childhood education because it will help develop literacy in children. Expressive language can easily be promoted through many experiences and activities. This article will discuss several methods on how to promote expressive language in early childhood education.

It is important to provide children with opportunities to use expressive language in early childhood education classrooms. Expressive language should be stimulated in a nurturing environment, and children should be encouraged to communicate. Patience, acceptance, and respect are important factors in teaching early childhood children how to use expressive language (Wortham, 2005). Here are some tips on how to promote expressive language in early childhood education.

1. Help children pronounce words appropriately and help increase vocabularies of early childhood students. Increasing vocabulary can be achieved by introducing students to new words regularly.

2. Encourage students to use complete sentences when speaking (Wortham, 2005). This includes the use of adjectives, adverbs, propositions, and clauses.

3. Promote expressive language by encouraging students to continue communication with each other until they are accurately understood.

4. Help students learn how to use language in an expressive manner by interpreting emotions and motivations. Also help early childhood students figure out problems by suggesting hypothesis, relating events, and predicting possible outcomes (Wortham, 2005).

5. Using expressive language is not limited to emotion. Students should be taught to use language to describe sizes and amounts. The use of adjectives to make comparisons and contrasts is also recommended when intending to promote expressive language in early childhood education.

6. Allow children to use expressive language in many different settings and with a variety of people (Wortham, 2005).

7. Classroom arrangement should allow students to have areas where communication is necessary and used often. Playing and discussing activities is an excellent way for early childhood children to learn how to use expressive language. These activities will promote expressive language development, and teachers should encourage this use by being in constant communication with the students (Wortham, 2005).

8. Pretend is a very important part of learning how to promote expressive language in early childhood education. When children use their imagination to create play themes in the classrooms they must use an extensive amount of expressive language to communicate their ideas to peers. This method of using expressive language should be promoted in the early childhood education classroom.

9. Teachers can also promote expressive language by discussing previous and future activities with students. Dramatic reenactments of events or stories are also an excellent way of encouraging expressive language in early childhood education.

Teachers must know how to promote expressive language in early childhood education. This type of language will increase a child's reading comprehension and literacy.

Reference:

Wortham, S. C. (2005). Early Childhood Curriculum: Developmental Bases for Learning and Teaching (4th Edition) (4 ed.). Alexandria, VA: Prentice Hall.

Ten Ways to Increase Your Health and Wellness

 

Everyone wants to feel good and be healthy, and if you are like me you probably think this is an unattainable goal, but it is not. Here I have provided 10 ways to start feeling healthier and happier every day.

1. This may sound silly but dance! Dancing may seem awkward to anyone who is not inclined to dance, but it will make you feel good, and it helps burn fat. You may be thinking when and where am I supposed to dance? I have kids, a job, and a billion things to do everyday. There is no time for dancing. Well you are wrong, you could be dancing the whole time. Next time you are doing the dishes shake your hips a little bit and put on your favorite song. Next time you are in the shower blast some music you like and really work it. No one can see you if you are in the shower. Next time you are on the line at the grocery store listening too whatever music they have on shake it a little bit. Dancing is good for you and for your soul, and forget anyone who would look at you funny or tell you different. They are just jealous that they are not dancing.

2. Eat green, and by green I don't mean money. I mean vegetables. Greens are so good for you. They provide nutrients and fiber. These things are very important in your diet. Especially if you like to indulge in sweet treats and fattening meats. The fiber in greens will help push these nasty things out of your system, and they will make you feel better. So next time you are getting a side of fries also order a side salad. Eating half of each is not the healthiest decision, but it is better than not eating anything healthy, and you got to start somewhere.

3. Remind yourself that you are human and imperfect. If you remember that you are imperfect you will save yourself time feeling terrible. People make mistakes everyday; we are human and not one of is can always do the right thing despite what some people may claim. Remember that you are human just like everyone else, and next time you make a mistake realize what you could do differently instead of hating yourself.

4. Remember that everyone else is human as well. Everyone makes mistakes, and the next time someone makes a mistake that hurts you in some way do not hate them for it. Try to figure out how this happened, why they did what they did, and what feelings make have caused this. Also remember to forgive because to forgive is an amazing trait that most people do not have.

5. Do not sleep too much. I know we are all busy, and because we are all so busy we are all so tired, but there are ways to energize yourself without taking naps or sleeping too much. So next time you feel tired do 10 sit ups or jog up the block. I guarantee this will give you energy that you didn't know you had.

6. Do not avoid conflicts. This is a scary statement, and it is probably intimidating to many people, but avoiding conflict will only cause more conflict in the future. If you can deal with conflict now you will know how t deal with it later on in life. So take responsibility for yourself and deal with problems head on. I promise once you start doing this problems will become less scary.

7. Plant something. Even if it is just a little cactus. Taking care of something teaches us to take care of ourselves. Taking care of a plant is very rewarding because you are the sole person in charge of making sure its life continues. Many lessons can be learned from taking care of plants. If you are feeling spunky start a full fledged garden; if you are not so sure buy yourself a little houseplant and watch it grow. Communing with nature is an important part of being healthy and happy.

8. Many people work at a desk or a chair where they sit all day. Many people come home from work and sit on their couch or in front of their computers, but this is zapping your energy supply. We are like little batteries and the more energy we put out the more energy we have so move around even if it is just pacing in your house.

9. Making eating a special experience, and I am not talking about the gallon of ice cream and a movie experience. When you eat plan it out. Even if you have little time try not to settle for a cheeseburger at the drive through. Set yourself aside at least 30 minutes everyday for meals. This will relax you and your mental and emotional state, and it will allow you to have time to make yourself something special. If you put love and effort into your meals you will be more likely to eat healthy.

10. Smile. I know what is there to smile about? Well for one you woke up this morning. So next time you see someone smile at them even if you don't know them. Smiles are contagious, and your one smile can turn into a thousand so keep smiling!