Part 3
Did you ever want to be a model? Parade up and down the run-way posing for photos in designer shows or advertisements on the internet or other media platforms? Many people do select modeling as their occupation but guess what? Parents are models! Yep—24/7! Even if you did not desire to take that job on—it’s yours for free. Being a parent equals becoming a model every day in every way.
Children learn their native language from the modeling done by parents, siblings and other family members. All are a child’s language learning influencers; however, since parents spend the majority of time with their toddler the title of “Super Model” is bestowed upon them.
OK – “Super Models” here’s one effective way to develop communication skills and make connections during Talking time with your Communicator. It is called “Serve and Return”. This type of interaction is backed by science, as a successful method to assist a child in language development, communication and expand a deeper emotional bond with their parents. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University stated the following, “Healthy brain architecture depends on a sturdy foundation built by appropriate input from a child’s senses and stable, responsive relationships with caring adults.”
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University recommends 5 steps for “Serve and Return”:
- Share the focus
- Say a word of encouragement
- Name it
- Take turns back and forth
- Practice endings and beginning
Here’s an example of “Serve and Return” — Super Models on the job!
Serve starts by toddler –- while a child is in the grocery store cart their focus shifts to looking at the oranges.
Return occurs by parent— an opportunity to say something back — since the toddler has shown physically – by the turning of their head in the direction of oranges — a response should be given– “Oh, you like those oranges, they’re round and tasty. I like them, too” Naming the object helps build up their vocabulary. If there is more interest continue to respond to their serves. It’s a short mini conversation.
When the child shifts their focus onto something else or shows no interest, that signals they’re ready to move on to something new. Be ready because a new serve will soon take place, and it will be time for a return, too.
What’s fantastic about this is that “Serve and Return” can be done throughout the day. It can be at home, or during an outing – just about anywhere. Bedtime, bathtime, playtime all are excellent times to do “Serve and Return”. It’s FREE no cost except for devoting the time to do it. But with practice it does become a more natural way to interact with a child. (Check out the video below for more detailed information from Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University).
Additional brain science news regarding babies and young children has been discovered by the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences or I-LABS at the University of Washington. They’re known for their creation and use of brain-imaging tools to understand learning processes, language development and social/emotional connections in a young child’s brain. One newer focus is “By applying I-LABS’ MEG brain-imaging technology, we can determine with great precision the brain structures and neural pathways in an infant’s brain that are involved in interacting with another person. Simultaneously measuring the caregiver on one brain-imaging device and the child on another will enable us to monitor how their brains become synchronized and respond to each other.” stated I-LABS. They have a profusion of information and presentations (modules) about the brain development for children pre-birth to 5 years of age which includes the benefits of “Serve & Learn”.
A little bit more about the role of Super Models and toddlers
A toddler is like grapes. ??? Yes, let’s take a closer look. The young vine grows in the vineyard and absorbs its environment. The vine needs good soil for its roots, fertilizer, water, careful pruning, and plenty of sun. It won’t produce grapes for three years. But the vintners know their continuous care will be well worth it. All their effort during those earlier years will produce luscious, sweet tasting grapes!
As Super Models (parents) the fruits of ones on-going care for their child and the emphasis on language development will contribute to an abundant production of words and understanding of language. A young grape vine is designed to produce grapes, just like a baby’s brain has within it the power to communicate. It will take the first three years of a child’s life for their expanded vocabulary to appear. Time, caring and attention does transform each child into a Communicator.
The next posts will have MORE activities regarding building a child’s vocabulary. Toddlers are on the move and love fun engaging activities with their Super Models.
Happy days to you,
Kylene
Also, there is more information regarding “Serve and Return” in TALKING Time pre-birth -12 months in a previous Blog posts found within my website.
“Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”.
David Kolb, Ph. D., American Educational Theorist
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return, https://youtu.be/KNrnZag17Ek?si=WN-mF1rPZNlR2LuS
Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains, https://developingchild.harvard.edu/guide/a-guide-to-serve-and-return-how-your-interaction-with-children-can-build-brains
Institute For Learning & Brain Sciences, (2023), I-LABS researchers have discovered a connection between conversational turn taking with infants, and their brain maturation related to language development, University of Washington, Publication, Research, https://ilabs.uw.edu/i-labs-news/i-labs-researchers-have-discovered-a-connection-between-conversational-turn-taking-with-infants-and-their-brain-maturation-related-to-language-development
