A recent study is changing the game for parents of young children. Reading has long been hailed as the No. 1 way to increase a toddler and preschooler’s vocabulary and language skills and set the stage for academic success, social interactions and life in general. But there’s a new tactic rising to the top of the list: reminiscing through “parent talk.”
What is “parent talk”? Parent talk is the chitchat adults often use to engage with little ones. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with Aarhus University in Denmark, have been following the effects of parent talk in the lives of young children around the world for decades.
The study compared three language-learning scenarios: reminiscing through the use of parent talk, book sharing (with wordless picture books) and the classic toy play with Lego bricks. They observed Danish parents and their 3- to 5-year-olds during these activities and analyzed the details of the conversations. The results showed reminiscing is more effective at producing high-quality speech and language from parents. In fact, it scored as high if not slightly higher than reading, particularly when it comes to wordless picture books. They found that both reminiscing and reading books beat toy play in interactive quality.
This research provides a new suggestion: Take the time to walk down memory lane with your toddler and preschooler. Flip through the mental photo album of past adventures, family history and shared family moments. Pictures and photo albums can also be used as a tool, but just sharing stories and memories of family time provides a common language and a sense of belonging for the child. This boosts their confidence while simultaneously exposing them to new and more detailed language forms.