This is definitely the age of technology!  Who would have dreamed that we could actually carry a miniature computer around in our hand and answer e-mail, text a friend, take a phone call or a photo all with one little device?  I must admit that I am guilty of loving my technology:  my iPhone, iPad, laptop and Fitbit!  Recently, I have noticed how some parents are NOT interacting with their children in restaurants, stores, and even parks, all because they are engaged with a hand-held device rather than conversing with their child.  I believe it is an epidemic! 

What does this convey to our children?  That these little devices are more important than interacting with them!  Oral language development for children under the age of six is crucial.  Young children need to practice their language skills with individuals who encourage them to talk with adults and peers in their environment.  The child needs to be listened to and spoken to! 

What are some ways we can assist children in developing oral language skills?

• Read Good Literature to children and discuss the illustration on the cover and the author as well as the illustrator of every book you pick up!
• Sit down & eat with the children and talk (at home & teachers in the classroom).
•  Ask open-ended questions, “What did you do today at school?  Outside?  What would you like to do after dinner?”
• Enunciate clearly and remember that children under the age of six process language at a slower neural speed…so slow down your rate of speech
• Sing!  Sing!  Sing!   Children love music and lyrics are a wonderful way to learn new concepts and words.
• Teach grace and manner words such as “Please,”  “Thank you,” and “Excuse me.”
• Demonstrate to children how to greet people, “Hi, how are you today?” 
• Encourage children to participate in “Show & Tell” at their school
• Play rhyming games with children
• Play games such as “I Spy,” that introduces descriptive words (adjectives) - play while in a checkout line or at a red light!  This can be fun for everyone!
• For infants and toddlers look them in the eye when you are changing their diaper and talk through everything you are doing or sing a soothing song.  Look them in the eyes and observe how they look at your lips and listen to you as you talk.  THEY ARE LEARNING that spoken word has a message.
• Limit children’s screen time!  (I will confess to using Facetime to allow my little 3-year-old grandson to converse with his grandfather at work!  There are some great advantages to our cell phone technology!)

We all know how important communication skills are for success in life.  When we are in the presence of children we need to put away the technology or use it wisely.   Take the time to listen to the children in your life...this is how we teach courtesy and kindness to others by listening and conversing!

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations:

• For children younger than 18 months, avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting. Parents of children 18 to 24 months of age who want to introduce digital media should choose high-quality programming, and watch it with their children to help them understand what they're seeing.
• For children ages 2 to 5 years, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.
• For children ages 6 and older, place consistent limits on the time spent using media, and the types of media, and make sure media does not take the place of adequate sleep, physical activity and other behaviors essential to health. 
• Designate media-free times together, such as dinner or driving, as well as media-free locations at home, such as bedrooms.
• Have ongoing communication about online citizenship and safety, including treating others with respect online and offline.