Encouraging Children to Talk

08/30/2013

Teaching is the highest form of understanding.
Aristotle

"Children talk when they have something to say. Providing children with interesting materials and experiences they want to talk about, therefore, is a good way to promote language." These are the observations of Ann Epstein in her book, The Intentional Teacher: Choosing the Best Strategies for Young Children's Learning. She continues...

"Teachers should also establish a climate in which children feel free to talk (no sitting in place with hands folded and mouths shut!). Teachers should encourage children to talk with one another, and be sure they, themselves, converse with all the children, including those who are quiet or whose habits or demeanor makes it harder to talk with. These strategies will increase the amount and complexity of children's language and create a classroom in which lively conversations accompany busy hands and minds."

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