what influences childrens language dev?

Question

trying to help my wee niece as much as poss to learn language

Answer 1

I good way that I and some friends of mine have found to teach a baby language is the radio. Now, not any of that rap stuff...that'll just give the girl a foul mouth, but something easy to understand the words: talk shows, country music, soft rock, and childrens' songs.

It's pretty much proven that if you listen to something while you sleep, you'll remember it. It goes for babies, too. Hearing it while they sleep helps to lock the sounds into their minds and make it easier for them to learn them, because they know them already.

Not to mention, but if a baby can sleep through a radio, they're more likely to sleep through vacuum cleaners, car alarms, dogs barking...you name it.

(Also works if you want the baby to be bilingual, or have a better chance of learning a second language. Put on some Mexican is you want Spanish, etc. My friend's baby sister listened to Mexican radio from birth up and she speaks about 10 words of it, at 2 years old, plus her English is very good (and their family can't speak of a word of it :D)

EDIT: and, of course, everything everyone else said. No baby talk, and treat her as a human being, teacher her and read to her every day.

Answer 2

Im not sure how old your niece is but I would like to add, avoid the baby talk. Its cute and all but it doesnt teach correct language.

Answer 3

Speak to her as you would an adult. Name items for her. Tell her what color things are. Count when that is appropriate, like when climbing stairs. The more you talk to her, the faster she will learn.

Answer 4

its good to read to her for at least 20 minutes a day

talk to her about everything . . . like if you take her for a walk outside point to different things and talk to her about them.

its also good to tell her poems and sing her songs (childrens songs)

Flash cards are good to use aswell