Building Blocks of Communication

We will begin by reviewing definitions of expressive/ receptive language, what verbal and nonverbal communication looks like, and language development research. Throughout the course, we will discuss strategies to support language development in early childhood, and in contrast, common adult behaviors that are not conducive to language learning and their effects on children’s communication. We will review strategies that can be helpful during group classroom activities and those that teachers can implement when interacting one-one with children. Teachers will have the opportunity to come up with functional target words that will support expressive and receptive language development across daily classroom routines.