Page 10 - LESSION 9.pmd

Stages of Child Development Three to Six years and Six to Eight Years

9.2.4 Language Development

Children at this stage become skilled at the use of language. They are able to
pick up the nuances of language and use them appropriately at appropriate places. Notes
They are able to appreciate humour and gather conversational skills like turn
taking. They can sustain conversations on a single topic for considerable time.
Their vocabulary and syntax improves. They add new words to their repertoire
and are able to use them aptly in different social situations. They start
understanding the social usage of words i.e. what and how to speak with different
persons such as parents, teachers, siblings and friends. They also show increased
appreciation for hidden intent of words.

Some of their competencies related to the language development during this
stage are:

• Comprehension and use of language becomes more sophisticated

• Share opinions in clear speech

• Conversational and narrative skills improve

• Try to visualise what is being described

• Invent new words and phrases

INTEXT QUESTIONS 9.2

Match Column A with Column B to understand the development of children
during the early primary stage.

Column A Column B

(i) Physical development (a) Invent new phrases and words

(ii) Social development (b) Can remember routes to familiar places
(iii) Emotional development (c) Engaged in competition

(iv) Language development (d) Verbalise conflictive emotions

(v) Cognitive development (e) Grow about 1" – 3" per yearPLAY IN

9.3 IMPORTANCE OF PLAY DURING EARLY CHILDHOOD

Play offers many valuable opportunities to children that contribute to their
development and learning. Evidence shows that play can support learning across
physical, social emotional and cognitive areas of development. Particularly in

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 129