Oral Language is one of the most important tools in teaching and nurturing children. Think of the many conversations heard around an early childhood space. There are conversations between children, conversations between caregivers and children, toddlers babbling, and providers engaging in the practice of “self-talk” with infants. Most of us
working in the early childhood field know that “talking” to children is important. We spend most of our days engaging in conversations. However, what are the long-term effects of a language-rich environment? What are the long-term effects when children lack exposure to a language-rich environment? In addition, what about the quality of the language used in classrooms?