Conversations that Count (continued)

Rosa lies down on the changing table. Ms. Vega washes her hands and tells Rosa what she is doing. "I'm washing away all the germs so you will stay healthy. I'm taking off your shorts. They're red, like your sneakers." Rosa says, "Red sneakers."

Ms. Vega takes a diaper from the shelf. She replaces Rosa's wet diaper with a dry one. "All done," says Ms. Vega. "Wash hands?" asks Rosa. "Yes," says Ms. Vega, "let's wash our hands."

Rosa heads for the sink, singing. "This way, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands." Ms. Vega sings along, then says, "Rosa, you learned a new song to sing." "Sing song," says Rosa.

Like many toddlers, Rosa is learning about language:

• She communicates her needs using groups of words.
• She repeats words she hears adults speak.
• She learns a simple song.
• She asks questions.
• She answers questions.

Rosa's caregiver helps her learn about language:

• She responds to Rosa's request by answering with a group of words.
• She describes what she is doing and names a color--red.
• She asks a simple question that Rosa knows how to answer.
• She sings with Rosa, then congratulates her on learning the song.

How do preschoolers learn?

Gina bounces out of bed and hurries to the kitchen. She opens the cabinet, takes out a box of cereal, then puts it back. She takes out another box and says, "Grandpa, this is my cereal. It has a big 'P' and lots of stars."

Grandpa says, "That's good thinking." Gina points to a letter on the box, "That's a 'P'." She traces the letter in the air and says, "'P' as in Peter. Peter's name starts with a 'P'. It's on his cubby."

Grandpa makes an offer. "Today, we can have our regular story time and then write together. I need to write a letter to a friend. You can write, too."

Gina puts her empty bowl in the sink and runs to find her mother. "Mom, I'm gonna read and write with Grandpa." Her mother says, "That sounds like fun. When I take you to family child care, I'll tell Ms. Jenkins that you like to write. You can write at her house and at home."

Like many preschoolers, Gina is learning language:

• She knows that letters (the P) and pictures (the stars) have meaning.
• She knows there is a 'P' on her cereal box and at the beginning of Peter's name.
• She knows that people take turns when talking to each other.

Gina's family helps her learn about language:

• They have a regular story time every day.
• Grandpa encourages her thinking, so Gina continues exploring the letters on the box.
• Grandpa offers to write with Gina.
• Mom talks to Ms. Jenkins, so that Gina can write at family child care and at home.

Adapted from: Koralek, D. (1997). Ready*Set*Read for Families: Early Childhood Language Activities for Children from Birth through Age Five. America Reads Challenge, U.S. Department of Education.