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We need to put to rest the old saying, "Children should be seen and not
heard." Research shows beyond question that it is through having many
opportunities to talk as well as to listen to teachers and peers that
children gain language skills so valuable for their success in reading and
writing.
It is
important for young children to be able to:
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Listen carefully for
different purposes, such as to get information or for enjoyment.
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Use spoken language
for a variety of purposes.
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Follow and give
simple directions and instructions.
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Ask and answer
questions.
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Use appropriate
volume and speed when they speak.
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Participate in
discussions and follow the rules of polite conversation, such as staying
on a topic and taking turns.
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Use language to
express and describe their feelings and ideas.
It is
important for teachers to:
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Ask open-ended
questions that invite children to expand upon their answers.
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Present new words to
children to expand their vocabularies.
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Respond to questions
and let children take the conversational lead.
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Respond to
children's questions and let them build their language skills.
Here are
some things that you can do to help develop and expand your children's
listening and speaking skills:
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Engage children in
conversation throughout the day.
Teacher Talk
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Why did you color the house orange, Rana?
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Look at all the birds at our birdfeeder this morning. What different
ones do you see?
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When
reading aloud to the children, encourage them to predict what will happen
in the story, to comment on the story, and to make connections between the
story and their personal experiences.
Teacher Talk
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What do you think will happen when Boomer gets on the school bus?
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What did you like best about Boomer's day in school?
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What's the funniest thing your pet does?
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Play
games that will focus children's attention on the importance of listening
carefully.
Teacher Talk
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Put your heads down and close your eyes. Listen very carefully. Can
you hear the lawn mower outside? Can you hear water dripping in the
sink? What else do you hear?
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Gently reinforce the rules of good listening and speaking throughout the
day.
Teacher Talk
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Connor, please don't talk while Yi is asking a question. You'll get
your turn.
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Tyler, thank Joann for helping you with your drawing.
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Ask before you take a book. Someone else may be using it.
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Only ask questions about the book right now. We'll talk about other
things later.
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Capitalize on routine opportunities to have the children follow or give
directions.
Teacher Talk
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It's time for snack. I want the boys to come to the round table and
the girls to come to the square table.
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Kaylee, please go to the bookrack and bring me the book with the red
flower on its cover.
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Mitch, go to the block box. Get two green blocks. Okay, please take
them to Julio.
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Tanya, will you tell Howie how to put this puzzle together?
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