It has been said that very young children are like sponges. During the first five years of life, a child's brain will grow more than at any other time. These early years are when children take in their surroundings, learning as much as they possibly can from the world around them. Every situation and experience that a young child has is an opportunity for him/her to learn. However, children still need guidance and direction when it comes to learning. Here are some tips on how parents can teach their children to talk.

1. The Environment

One of the most important tips in teaching a child to talk is providing the right environment for the child to learn. An environment where the child is exposed to a great deal of language such as talking, singing and reading to the child, will go a long way in getting the child to understand the importance of language and communication and, thus, to mimic its components. A child's environment also includes things such as regular check-ups with the pediatrician to make sure developmental milestones are being met, as well as adequate amounts of sleep and a healthy diet. When a child is well rested, he/she will be more attentive during learning times. A healthy diet will not only help the child to feel his/her best, but through eating and chewing foods with different textures, the child becomes better aware of how to control the muscles in the mouth.

2. Talk like a Child

Talking to the child is the next tip in enhancing language development. When a parent talks to a child, it is important that the parent speaks on the child's level. Young toddlers are better able to understand simple sentences or a few words, as opposed to more complex sentences. A child will also be more likely to listen and respond when talking about a subject that interests him/her. Parents may also find that certain times of the day are better to engage a child than others.

3. Read Aloud

Reading aloud to a child from infancy is also a way to get the child used to language. Some mothers-to-be start to read or sing to their unborn babies during pregnancy. Whether reading aloud the newspaper or talking to a baby while doing laundry, the child is being exposed to language on a daily basis.

4. Be Positive

Positive reinforcement is important when trying to teach children anything new. When a child starts to babble and make new sounds, it is always a good idea to reinforce this behavior with encouragement. If the baby sees that this behavior is pleasing the parent, he/she will be more willing to continue making new sounds.

5. Be Repetitive

Children learn through repetition. Playing games with the baby, using flashcards and forming routines when trying to teach language are a good way to teach a child language skills. The child will get used to the repetition of the same words, phrases and routines on a daily basis.

6. Explain The Meaning

The final tip for teaching a child to talk is to use appropriate words when conversing with the child. If a child says "baba", respond to the child using the word " bottle" instead. Children may also use one term to refer to many similar things. It is important to explain the meaning of each different word. Soon, the child will start to differentiate on his/her own. The most important part of teaching a child to speak is to talk to him/her. The more the child is exposed to language, the more he/she will mimic the behavior on his/her own.

Thanks for this guest post James! James can usually be found writing on the blog for his website but also checks in stock, inspects Oki toner cartridges and reviews Lexmark toner cartridges.