The Critical Social Communication that Underpins Language and Literacy Development
June 11, 2021; By Sara Silva – STARS Coach, Child Care Connections
Did you know that social communication skills lay the groundwork for later language and literacy development? The First Words Project is taking this message to families and caregivers through the development of a series of look books. The first two are ready for accessing and sharing (with one and all) – with three more to come. The series will include:
- Language Learning: 16 Gestures by 16 Months (also available in Spanish and Creole)
- Imagination: 16 Actions with Objects by 16 Months (also available in Spanish and Creole)
- Social Connectedness: 16 Ideas to Communicate by 16 Months
- Cooperation: 16 Ways to Manage Emotions by 16 Months
- Critical Thinking: 16 Messages to Understand by 16 Months
There is so much key development that happens during the first 2 years of life and these look books remind us of that. They also remind us that development is occurring in multiple domains simultaneously and that each domain’s development interacts with the other domains. Take a look at these key strategies that children need to develop in the first 16 months and stay tuned for the development of the 3 additional look books!