In this video, educators demonstrate ways of creating rich language experiences with young children, to build their vocabulary.
This video demonstrates ways of exposing children to a range of new words during every interaction.
Watch the video on Vimeo : Vocabulary for Early Communicators
Reflective practice
Observe
- The examples of shared/joint attention, and its importance for language learning.
- The use of reading experiences as opportunities to learn new words and concepts.
- The educator’s use of repetition when children show interest in words and sounds (for example tick tock).
- The linking of words and concepts to children’s immediate experience, as well as home life.
- How the educator builds upon the children’s attempts at non-verbal communication, sounds and words.
- How the educator uses self-talk and parallel-talk strategies to create shared meaning of their experience.
- How the educator embeds new concepts and ideas within child-led experiences.
Reflection questions
- What learning did you observe? How do you know?
- In what situations can educators use language modelling to share new words and concepts with children?
- What sorts of words and concepts does the educator model and use when interacting in this video?
- As an educator, how do you balance making your language understandable to children, with using complex and new vocabulary?
- How can the educators in this video extend upon the introductions to new vocabulary, so that children have an opportunity to discuss new words and what they mean?
- Consider the importance of including children’s family, and other educators’ perspectives to inform practice and curriculum decisions.
- How does the educator promote children’s perspectives and agency in these experiences?
Learning experience plan
This learning experience plan relates to:
- early communicators (birth - 18 months)
- interacting with others
- learning foci: concept development and vocabulary
- teaching practices: language in everyday situations, play (interacting with others).
Links to VEYLDF
Outcome 5: communication
Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes:
- interact with others to explore ideas and concepts, clarify and challenge thinking, negotiate and share new understandings.
- demonstrate an increasing understanding of measurement and number using vocabulary to describe size, length, volume, capacity and names of numbers.
Related videos and learning experience plans
Videos
- Vocabulary for early language users
- Making meaning in everyday situations
- Gesture and joint attention
- Vocalisation and speech development
- Making meaning through play
- Making meaning through dance
- Yarra River guided play
Experience plans
Links to sections
Updated