The Importance Of Verbal Communication In Childcare
Verbal communication is the primary form of communication children rely on, before they learn to read, write and start communicating through text and social media! Children start learning how to talk as soon as they are born, through observation and listening. They mimic what they hear and soon begin to make sounds with their mouths and at different pitches. Childcare is a great place for children to expand their vocabulary and learn the nuances of verbal communication. An extensive part of all Strathfield childcare centres programmes is developing vocabulary and language including around essential areas of the curriculum. After Nina started at her local Strathfield early learning centre, her grandmother Carolyn noticed the huge strides she made with her verbalization.
Childcare centres continue the work of the family in guiding children as they learn verbal communication skills. Many activities centre around teaching children to talk and listen.
Hand games such as Simon Says, round robin games, and singing all help children build up speaking skills.
Group Work
Group activities are an important part of learning verbal communication. Teacher directed activities will introduce language such as colours, shapes and comparison words like big and small. The lesson will usually require the children to talk to the group, tell about what they are doing or making and practice their own talking skills in a safe setting. Many activities lend themselves to new verbal communication skills including playdough, sandpit play, climbing and running, ball games and obstacle courses. The teacher can ask them to run fast or slow, left and right, and throw the ball low or high and so on. They also learn the language of instructions and routines that is useful for school – line up, sit down, look at the teacher.
Hearing Different Voices
A childcare setting is also a good place for children to learn how to communicate outside of home, learning how to understand different accents and different ways of talking. Communicating verbally with peers is a lifelong skill. Childcare educators ensure that all children learn to communicate in a friendly and clear way with the other children, enabling friendships to flourish. Communication is also important in preventing conflict and childcare centres use their time with the children to teach words that help communicate understanding.
Verbal Based Activities
Activities that specifically encourage verbal communication are part of the Strathfield child care programmes. These include microphones for the children’s use, recording funny sounds or animal sounds or naming body parts in songs and games.
Excursions are also beneficial for increasing communication and vocabulary. An excursion introduces new places and new words that the children might not already know, and which they are asked to talk and draw about when they get back to the centre.
Having well developed verbal communication skills is an asset for every child and is an important part of ongoing success in both education and life. Carolyn was pleased that Nina’s two days a week at childcare was having such a positive effect on her ability to communicate.
