Somali

It is important for children to meet their speech and language milestones at the expected age.  This gives your child a strong foundation for learning at school and later in life.

Your preschool child is busy talking, exploring and playing. All of these activities are important for his or her growth and development – and for learning communication skills.

Your child will need well-developed communication skills when it’s time to start going to school – to make friends, learn new things, and start learning to read and write. 

Communication skills are critical to your child’s future success.

Your play an important part in your child’s ongoing communication development. Talking, listening and playing with your child will help to build the skills he or she needs to succeed in school and in life.

About one in 10 children needs help developing normal speech and language skills. Without help, it’s a struggle to listen and talk, it’s difficult to learn to read, and it’s hard to play with other children.

Answers to frequently asked questions when introducing your child to a new language. 

When children start school, they should be ready to learn. Parents can do many things to help their children get ready to learn. Children do better at school if they learn first language skills at home. Strong first language skills make it easier for children to learn another language at school. Remember to speak to your children in your FIRST language

Children love to play. Play and music help children learn language skills in a way that is fun and easy.  Remember to use your FIRST language when playing or singing with children to help them develop strong language skills. 

Reading is one of the best activities that you can do with children of any age. Reading books and talking about them helps children develop language skills. 

Most children like to watch television and videos. Television is one way children can learn new words and ideas. 

It is important to talk with your children about what they are watching. Remember to talk in your FIRST language to help your children develop strong language skills. 

Television and videos are in most homes today. Children can learn from television and videos if we guide them in making good choices. 

Young children under 2 years do not learn much from watching television and videos. * The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends NO screen time for children under the age of 2 years of age.  Recommendations for children from 2-5 years of age is to limit exposure and no more than 1 hour per day. 

Every family wants their children to do well in school. Families can help their children learn at home so they are prepared for kindergarten. 

Children do better at school if they develop strong language skills at home. Remember to talk in your FIRST language with your children, so they develop strong language skills for school. 

Parents are their children’s first teachers. To help children get ready for kindergarten families need to do many activities together.

Children learn language best through every day activities. Here are ways that you can help to build your child's language skills. 

Talk to your child about: 

• Things they see
• Things they are doing
• Things they are feeling
• Things you are doing
• What you and your child see on televisionPlaces you have been

Help your child learn to talk: 

• Sing
• Read
• Play
• Listen
• Expose them to others