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Chapter 2:
The Tasks of the Toddler
2. Chapter Highlights
The Tasks of the Toddler
A. Toddler Characteristics
1. A brain as active as adults
2. Starts symbolic communication with spoken words
3. Recognizes conversational give and take
4. Realizes everything has a name
5. Four major language tasks concurrently
a. phonology – sound
b. syntax – rules
c. semantics – word meanings
d. pragmatics – social use, when and where
6. Hypotheses and experiments with language
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3. .
Chapter Highlights (cont.)
B. Mother Characteristics
1. Uses ‘parentese’—child directed speech
2. May or may not view the toddler as a communicator
3. May modify speech and seek communication interaction
4. Cultural attitudes toward toddlers
C. Toddlers’ Growing Language Abilities and Accomplishments
1. Telegraphic speech—stringing words together
2. Learning grammar; sometimes using ungrammatical
sentences
3. Speech errors with new internal rules
4. Over-regularization and irregular and regular verbs
5. Use of intonation (tone of voice) and inflection (loudness of
voice)
6. Semantics (word meanings) and vocabulary
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4. Chapter Highlights (cont.)
7. A concept building mind. Recognizes elements that
identify.
8. Learns that words are symbols for things.
9. Sensory exploring
10. Use of words to fit social situations-pragmatics
D. Attachment and Sense of Self
1. Becoming a social ‘animal’
E. Egocentric Speech to Inner Speech
1. Gesturing
2. First sententces
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5. Chapter Highlights (cont.)
3. Toddler-adult conversations
4. Joint attention milestone
5. Negatives
F. Adult Communication that Aids Toddler Language
Growth
1. Labeling and specific terms
2. Playing detective to discover child intent
3. Attuned
4. Providing a speech model
5. Acceptance instead of correction
6. Encouragement
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6. Chapter Highlights (cont.)
7. Recognition of accomplishment
8. Word and action games
9. Other adult language-developing behaviors
G. Planned Toddler Activities
1. Music activities
2. Symbolic and pretend play areas and equipment
3. Friendships with peers
4. Individual temperaments
5. Books – adult-readings
6. Choice and exploring freedom
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7. Chapter Highlights (cont.)
H. Advice to Families
1. Toddler-proofed areas
2. Sensory exploration
3. Conversations
4. Home language
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8. Concept Building
A skilled educator is good at helping children …..
Recognize distinguishing characteristics
See how the new relates to the past
Make sense of life happenings
Recognize distinguishing characteristics
Make sense of life experiences
See relationships
See similarities and differences
Store ideas and impressions
Form conclusions
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9. Concept Building (cont.)
Reform conclusions
Discover categories
Mentally pair things with words
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Major Tasks of Learning Language
Learning semantics
Word meanings
Learning pragmatics
Varying speech patterns for the social context
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Phonology
Flow of language makes distinguishing
sounds difficult for toddlers.
Phonemes
Smallest unit of sound-implying different
meaning
46 to 50 phonemes in English language
Includes vowels, consonants, and blended sounds
Developmental sequence
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Morphology
Morphology is the study of morphemes.
Morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning.
Prefixes, suffixes
Between ages of 2-4, children develop a
variety of morphemes.
There is a common sequence in appearance
of morphemes.
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Syntax
Involves the rules and order of words
Between 18-24 months combine holophrases
to form telegraphic speech
Sequences within telegraphic speech have
acceptable grammatical sequences
Child unconsciously forms and revises rules
Almost completely mastered early on
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Semantics
Study of meanings and acquisition of
vocabulary
Toddlers best learn language in an active
way.
Hands-on involvement is crucial
Meanings of words are related to experiences
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Pragmatics
Study of how language is used within the
context of the situation
Examples of pragmatic skills
Turn-taking talking
Ability to stick to the topic
Noticing non-verbal cues
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Egocentric Speech to Inner Speech
Egocentric speech (Vygotsky)
Child’s words or phrases accompany actions
Useful in toddler thinking
Inner speech
Speech becomes internalized as part of
thought process
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Characteristics
of Toddler Language
Telegraphic speech
Many words omitted
“Mary doll”
Prosodic speech
Use of voice modulation and word stress
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Music Enhances
Language (Wolf, 1994)
Use short songs with limited words.
Use music with repetitive phrases.
Keep the melody simple within a reasonable
range.
Use music with simple rhymes and rhythms.
Select music of ethnic and cultural diversity.
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Language Through Music
Frequently used technique
Describe how a child moves to music:
“Johnny is lifting his knees high up to his tummy.”
Encourages movement to music
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Symbolic Play
Between 12 to 15 months, children engage in
symbolic play
Pretend play
Play as a way to represent experiences
Use symbols to represent other objects
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Use of Books with Toddlers
Consider the following:
Predictable pattern
Rhyme and rhythm
Sensory input
Durability
Limited vocabulary
Simple plot
Illustrations that match the text
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Book Sharing Techniques
Select a time when child is alert and curious.
Establish a special time for reading.
Create interest with voice.
Be responsive.
Encourage attempts to name objects, turn
pages, speak, etc.
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Literacy
Literacy involves
Reading (picture reading)
Writing (scribble drawing)
Listening
Speaking
How can we as teachers of toddlers plan
activities to enhance each area of literacy?