A recent study by the University of Sydney, has found that children with below average language skills can make rapid improvements if their parents take simple steps to change the way they interact with them.

Researchers worked with three- and four-year-olds and their parents at preschools in the Mt Druitt area, and taught the parents simple techniques for helping children develop their language skills. These included:

• Pausing in conversation to allow children to talk about topics of interest to them
• Asking open-ended questions
• Encouraging children to talk more on their chosen topics
• Making reading books together a 'child-led' rather than an 'adult-led' activity.

' … books are a wonderful source of conversational topics, with the advantage of picture stimuli, potentially a range of new and varied vocabulary, and a storyline to enhance conversation building.'

Dr Susan Colmar, who conducted the study with Louise Davey, student research associate from the University of Bath, said that the findings backed up several studies she had conducted previously.

Dr Colmar said that the strategies she demonstrated to the parents can be easily carried over into everyday conversations.

She when on to say that the study confirmed the importance of parents in actively and directly engaging in their child's learning.

Read more about this research on the University of Sydney website.

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