Childhood education offers key developmental language skills for parents to utilize and implement.

The first language basics like sounds and speech are learnt from a child's parents or their first caregivers. We are the first example for our children and they filter in what we say and do. Our actions and words are their first learning tools to the outside world.

Do you have a parent story you'd like to share with others? Has a particular teaching method really worked when teaching your young child or children a new language skill?

Visit the Ebooks page to purchase the Childhood Education Resources Ebook on all the information found in this section. Browse the growing selection of ebooks on many topics for you and your child!

There are several areas we need to nurture in our children if we'd like them to have a well-rounded grasp of the world from a very young age. The benefits of talking to our child right from birth give them a keen sense of alertness and curiosity.

Children learn by example. Learning to speak, read and write early and proficiently, comes from you using language with them. Make it a priority to communicate and express yourself clearly with your child.

For an easy to use, beginning phonics program to enhance any childhood education program, check out Shelterwood Books and Teacher Resources For Kids (and Adults!) reading program.

Those first six years are really critical in forming a solid foundation of language understanding and use.

• Social interaction: How we bond with our children from the beginning will give them a step-up as to how well they interact with others, create relationships, share, co-operate, play, form their own identity, gain self-confidence with others, lead, follow and use judgement in social situations.
• Intellectual development: Children will filter their surroundings by seeing how you or others react or process happenings around you. They will base their decisions on right and wrong through early influences, language being one of them.
• Creative expression: If a natural bent towards unique abilities is nurtured, a child can quite possibly find their natural expression of drawing, singing, dancing, writing, composing and designing. Creativity comes through curiosity, exposure and discovery. Expose your child to as many different stimulating educational toys , a variety of books , art forms like crayons, paints, papers, shapes and colours, but make sure you're there to guide and explain.
• Physical development: Active play and discovery develops a child's motor skills ie: their use of walking, talking, expressing, moving etc.
• Emotional development: How we express our emotions and feelings and develop our own self-confidence will influence our child. They watch us in social situations and form emotions based on our emotional state of being. Same goes for forming the use and development of language in their daily lives. How we speak to one another is how early speech patterns are learnt and formed.

Focusing on these main areas can strengthen your young child's speech, reading, writing and understanding of English language. You always hear that children are like sponges, well that's true, they are curious and want to learn and know.

They pick up things easily and readily and will learn something from you very quickly if you put in the time and effort. Good, clear communication is a gift that makes life more fulfilling. Spend good quality communicating time with your young baby and child and they will develop sharp learning skills for life.

• Reading corner: Children's books that influence and develop strong readers for a lifetime.
Curiosity and exposure to as many books as possible will bring a lifetime of reading enjoyment and knowledge. Exploring as many different types of books and stories is a wonderful habit to form.
• Learning first words and early reading in childhood education:
Are there methods of play that work well for your child to learn to speak early? What does it take for your child to be an early, interested reader? How can a young child form good reading and speaking habits? Learning the alphabet, sounds, pronunciation and object identification takes patience and guidance.
• Childhood development stages :
How do young children learn and process their surroundings from baby to toddler stage? Each phase of growth brings new aspects of learning, knowledge, discovery and intellectual development in language.
• Children's activities ebooks:
Children's Activities Ebooks offer access to information on play ideas for indoor and outdoor fun and games, backyard and rainy day activity ideas, daycare concepts, kids craft projects, songs and rhymes.




• Using Video Lessons in Childhood Education:

These make great supplemental helpers when teaching a very young child the first basics of English language. As a parent, you can use them as another visual and/or listening aid. Video lessons cover all the critical basics of English. Each lesson comes with a PDF document to print off.

Lessons on the alphabet, vowels, colours, numbers, shapes, seasons, animals, plants and nature are valuable teachings for young children. A few lessons focus on basic greetings and helpful common phrases. Areas of grammar and tenses and vocabulary builders are also covered.

The Video lessons have an instructor accompanied by bold, bright colourful images and matching words and cover a wide range of topics.

They can be listened to or watched as a child plays. This will reinforce concentration and listening skills. This form of learning is both interesting and educational.

• Educational toys and games:
Toys, games, puzzles, crafts and activities that inspire curiosity, engage and teach young children a solid foundation of childhood education and language skills through constructive playing.
• Preschool, kindergarten and grade one lesson plans and ideas:
Lesson plans and ideas for parents to use on a daily basis. Make childhood education creative, informative, interesting and enjoyable.