Child Language the Power of Words

When raising children parents need to understand that language is a powerful tool that is used to produce a range of effects. Your child recognizes this reality and explores the possibility of different reactions that words can impact and create.

When your child understands a few words only, this is especially true in the terrible two’s stage where he will attempt to combine it with gestures to communicate his message. He will explore different possibilities with the word. The same word may be used in a different context to mean something else. When you say the word “socks” for instance your child might:

Extend his foot so you can put his sock on
Look around the room to ask, “Where’s my sock?”
Say the word in a tone that he is proud of while pointing at his sock to express. “These are my socks –There mine!”
Your child can point at the image of a sock in a book for example, to indicate he recognizes the object and knows how to say it.
Your child can tease you. When he says, “Sock” he touches his pants instead. You both are aware that he knows the word ‘pants.’

In all circumstances whenever your child pronounces a word, it’s your reaction that confirms whether or not your child has successfully transmitted his message.

If your child wants to take something that you find is inappropriate, your explanation will also serve to confirm the message you are communicating. Just before supper, your child asks, “Want chocolate” your response would be, “No, you’ll have chocolate after supper.” This indicates to your child that his request has been understood.

Every time that you engage with your child, at any age is a great opportunity to demonstrate the potential and power of words and language. As they grow, your child’s vocabulary will expand and he will add his own ‘touch’ in his expressions and ways in handling the language.