We begin to learn language even before we're born! Here's how to help young children prepare for speaking, reading, and writing.

KIDS CAN WRITE—ONE

“Kids Can Write” is a series of reading and writing tips for folks who teach and nurture kids. I’ve field tested all the ideas in public schools, private schools, homes, or home schools. Hopefully, they will work for you, too! Please contact me with questions or suggestions.

THE CONTINUUM

Writing grows from reading. Reading grows from listening and speaking. But how do we learn our language?

IN THE WOMB

I’ve been fascinated by recent studies revealing that newborn babies can recognize their mother’s and sometimes their father’s voice. Wow! That little fetus was actually learning to differentiate sounds while it was still all comfy inside Mom!

LITTLE GUYS

Babies and toddlers listen to words flowing around them many months before they attempt to speak. Deaf children are usually even slower to speak because they’re not hearing that stream of language flowing around them. Children whose parents or older siblings talk to them and carefully repeat words learn to say those words.

The first word one of my children said was, “Light.” I thought this was a bit queer until I analyzed where he had heard it. Every evening as I spooned his applesauce into his little baby-bird mouth, I turned on the kitchen light, saying the word as I flipped the switch. He connected the word “light” with something important to him—dinner. And so, instead of one of the more conventional first words such as “Mama,” he said, “Light,” and pointed to the ceiling fixture.

SO TALK, ALREADY!

Speak to that soft little bundle you hold in your arms. The baby will absorb more than you think and will be taking that first step toward being a writer. Too late? Your child is no longer a baby? That’s great. Now you can begin to really converse! Do it daily.


Elaine Masters teaches writing workshops for students, writers, and parents. She also teaches teachers how to teach kids how to write.