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7 - Creating a language-rich environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2025

Sheila Degotardi ,
Andi Salamon  and
Tina Stratigos
Sheila Degotardi
Affiliation:
Macquarie University, Sydney
Andi Salamon
Affiliation:
University of Canberra
Tina Stratigos
Affiliation:
University of Sydney
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Summary

From the moment of birth, infants are immersed in a world of communication. Attentive adults look into their eyes, smile and coo at them, and use touch, eye contact and simple sentences to connect. In return, newborns respond to the human voices that they have been hearing in utero by looking towards the adult’s face and moving their bodies and faces. They also respond neurologically, with parts of their brains associated with auditory language processing activated by human speech more so than by other human sounds such as humming or non-distinct speech. Within the first six months, they not only use cries, coos and facial expressions to communicate feelings and needs, but also engage in rudimental back and forth exchanges with attending caregivers. The desire to connect with others through language and communication is indeed a very strong and uniquely human trait.

Keywords

languagecommunicationenvironmentsinfantstoddlersearly childhood educatorlanguage useconnections
Type
Chapter
Information
Intentional Practice with Infants and Toddlers
Pedagogies for Learning, Development and Wellbeing
 , pp. 167 - 199
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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