Oral language was,is, and always will be the foundation of literacy. But instead of children’s oral language improving, it isdecreasing. More children thanever need speech and language intervention. Why? You canprobably answer that for yourself. Children are spending too much time in front of a screen passivelylistening. Over and over again theresearch emphasizes the importance of “authentic play” in developing orallanguage skills. So, what do wedo? Take blocks and dramatic playout of kindergarten and fill up the day with worksheets, tests, and PPTs.
The children inyour classroom will probably have voice-activated computers by the time theyreach high school. So what? Well, if they can’t speak a completesentence clearly what you will see on the screen is goobledy gook@#$#4(*&%^&*!!! The factthat Common Core State Standards included “Speaking and Listening” furthersuggests the need to promote oral language in our classrooms. Take a look at my February, 2012, monthlyactivities and I hope you’ll find some meaningful, playful, and practical waysto nurture “talkers” in your classroom.
