Think of language as a unique tool, and just like any other tool, you have to know how to use it. Language arts is the guidebook. Language arts helps your child become a better public speaker, reader, and helps your child improve their writing, vocabulary and grammar skills. When your child learns language arts, they learn how to communicate better, and they have a greater chance for success as they go through life. There are three areas where solid language arts skills are critical.
Listening
People sometimes think of language development solely from the angle of speaking. However, before you speak — you hear. When you strengthen your child’s language development skills, you also teach them how to be a better listener. Good listeners go beyond simply hearing.
Your child will instead have the ability to interpret and retain the information that they hear. For example, when the teacher is discussing a topic in front of the class, your child will have the ability to process the information more effectively, which can help make he or she a better student. Having well developed language arts is crucial for this to happen. Your child can identify main clauses and subordinate clauses just by listening to someone speak. They will be able to connect important lines of information in their head. Excellent listening skills can even help your child make improvements with their social development.
Writing
Writing is an essential way in which language is expressed, but more importantly, interpreted. It’s essential your child know how to form sentences and passages together in a way in which they, and anyone else, can interpret what they’ve read. In this area, language arts skills delve heavily into the field of grammar.
As your child improves in this area, they learn about important concepts in writing, such as the difference between common and proper nouns. They will also be able to identitfy and properly use prepositions and conjunctions. This will elevate their writing to a whole new level.
Speaking
Speaking is one of the most critical language arts skills because it forces your child to put their skills into action very quickly. When your child speaks, they should be able to use proper word form without a second thought. For example, say your child is trying to tell you about an incident that happened at school. It will be very difficult to understand what happened at school, if your child is jumping between present to past tense verbs, or singular and collective nouns.
Now, while you might be used to this if your child is young, imagine what it might be like if your child does not correct this by means of proper language arts. If down the line, your child isn't able to express themselves verbally, or to be understood when they try, this can cause not only frustration but might even hinder their academic progress.
If your child has good language arts skills, he or she will be able to use adjectives and other descriptive word forms with ease. Your child will also be able to connect their concepts and ideas through proper conjunction usage, such as with terms like “and,” “for,” and “so.” Language arts skills help your child become a more effective and confident speaker.
Language arts is a foundation skill. No matter the subject area, your child needs to have excellent language arts skills. Always work with your child to help them use this valuable tool.
