It can be frustrating for adults who have struggled in foreign language classes to see their children effortlessly pick up a language, simply by playing with other children who speak it. While we adults try to apply grammar rules as if they were algebra formulas, our children are able to learn languages through mere exposure. Why is it so much easier for them to learn languages than it is for us? As parents, how can we take advantage of this window of opportunity before it closes?
How children learn language
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Language is fundamental in the cultural and political development of any nation, and it helps to integrate people between cultures. Language helps one to express his thoughts, ideals, feelings, but whenever the knowledge of a language is lacked, one becomes incapacitated and alienated.
Before the Nigeria civil war, when western education came, many Igbo elites who embraced western education prefer to speak English Language in the midst of those who lack such knowledge. To most of them it is a way to express superiority over illiterates. In an attempt to measure up, people were forced to learn and speak English language to the detriment of their own language – Igbo. The noise being made by elites about this foreign language in various Igbo communities make people feel that speaking Igbo language is an abomination. This has resulted to the speaking of English language by both old and young in the various Igbo communities rightly or wrongly. It is disheartening to note that the elite who are supposed to foster the growth of Igbo language are the worst victims of the situation.
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Building a language rich environment is, on the face of it, an easy thing to do. Unfortunately, in today’s busy households and with the busy lifestyles of parents who have to work full-time, it is harder to find the time to spend with your children than many of us realize. However, there are many activities that you can use on a daily basis to teach language in everyday situations, enhance your child’s speech and language development and create a good environment for learning.
Make time for your children!
Children learn speech and language through listening, watching, exploring, copying, initiating, responding, playing and interacting with others. For those first few years most of the important interaction is going to be between the child and their parents, carers and maybe siblings. Finding time to spend with your children and have a shared focus is very important if you want to help them to develop their speech, language and social skills. One-to-one time will benefit your child in the long term.
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