The language skills that children acquire in the preschool period significantly affect their later school and life success.
The most important known research on the number of words learned in preschool age and educational success was conducted by Hart and Risley. Hart and Riesley followed 42 children from different income levels with their families. In the study, the number of words exchanged between the child and the parents and the encouraging or discouraging words the parents used in communication were observed.
Some of the results obtained by Hart and Riesley in the study were as follows: While the three-year-old child of a wealthy and educated family knew 1,116 words. A child of the same age from a poor and low-educated family knows only 525 words. This difference between the number of words of children from different environments increases with each passing month, and when these children, who start life with similar potential, reach the age of 3, their vocabulary increases significantly. The table below explains the difference in the number of words that children encounter when they reach the age of 4.
Of course, Hart and Riesley do not focus only on the number of words in the communication between parents and children. This study also shows the importance of why and how the language is used.
Families with low socio-economic levels do not give their children self-confidence and encouragement with their speech, but rather use forbidden sentences that discourage children. Families at higher socioeconomic levels use more words for their children and use sentences that motivate, encourage and make their children question.
The chart below shows the encouraging and discouraging words expressed by families at different socioeconomic levels throughout the year. The average number of expressions is seen.
Discouraging words from poor and low-educated families are more than twice the total words. In other words, most of the words used are for scolding, warning or rejecting. In educated and wealthy families, encouraging positive expressions are more than 5 times more discouraging words.
So Why Are the Number of Words and the Quality of the Language Used Important?
The same research gives us the answer to this question. preschool The quality of the language used in the future affects intelligence development and therefore future school success. If this difference, which begins in pre-school, is not closed, it carries over to school and becomes one of the most important factors in the child's subsequent school success or failure. Children who hear fewer words, are discouraged by their families, and are constantly warned with negative words such as 'don't do' and 'don't touch', have difficulty establishing healthy relationships throughout their school life, experience self-confidence problems and behavioral problems.
Suggestions for Communication in the Pre-School Age
Intelligence in pre-school means the number of words. The most important impact in preschool development tests during developmental periods is in the field of speaking language. If you want to positively affect your child's language development and therefore intelligence development, establish healthy communication with your child. Pay attention to increasing vocabulary. If you have difficulty in providing this support at home, you can send your child to a nursery or pre-school education institution nearby that will benefit your child.
Use positive, encouraging, descriptive and difficult sentences. Instead of saying 'Don't do it, don't touch it', try to use sentences that will make you think, such as 'How does it affect you when you touch it?' 'What do you think about this issue?'
Positive speech will help your child gain self-confidence. Talk to your child as much as you can, using complex sentences in the most qualified way possible. Give your child the right to speak as much as possible. Giving the child the right to speak at home will enable the child to express himself correctly at school.
In addition to talking to children, reading books to children is also very important for children's language development. It is important. Read books appropriate to your child's age during preschool. Show books with lots of pictures to your child and get comments from him/her. Ask questions that will make you think about books and pictures.
Play games that will develop your child's sense of curiosity. Spending time with electronic devices and mobile games at home will reduce attention and increase stress. Toys that will develop your child's sense of curiosity prepare and play together patiently.
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