Caregiver child communication development

Three specific caregiver-child communication behaviors that support communication development are:

1. Responsive Interaction: Caregivers who respond to a child’s verbal and non-verbal cues encourage communication development. This includes acknowledging the child’s attempts to speak, making eye contact, and responding with verbal or physical cues, which helps the child understand the purpose of communication. It strengthens the child’s engagement and promotes the development of conversational skills.
2. Modeling Language: When caregivers model appropriate language by speaking clearly and using a rich vocabulary, they expose children to proper language use. Caregivers who expand on the child’s speech (e.g., repeating the child’s words in a more complex form) provide opportunities for learning new words and sentence structures. This behavior is crucial for vocabulary development.
3. Reading and Storytelling: Caregivers who read to children regularly or engage in storytelling expose them to complex language structures, new vocabulary, and narrative skills. These interactions promote not only listening and comprehension but also the ability to express thoughts in a structured and meaningful way.

The most influential behavior is responsive interaction, as it forms the foundation for all other communication skills. When caregivers respond to a child’s attempts at communication, it helps the child feel understood and encourages further communication attempts. This back-and-forth exchange is the basis for language learning and emotional connection.

The most influential behavior is responsive interaction, as it forms the foundation for all other communication skills. When caregivers respond to a child’s attempts at communication, it helps the child feel understood and encourages further communication attempts. This back-and-forth exchange is the basis for language learning and emotional connection.

Reference:

Berk, L. E. (2013). Child Development (9th ed.). Pearson.