Introduction Module

Welcome to the Introduction Module where you will receive an introduction to language as a missing link.

Our efforts to work with children and adults is not as effective as it could be without an understanding of the importance of language. Why?

→      Language development — from infancy through adulthood — can dramatically impact an individual’s quality of life and life outcomes.

→      Language is foundational for literacy and educational success, emotional and mental health, and positive quality of life.

→      Language is the vehicle by which we communicate for many reasons, send messages in multiple ways, seek and respond to support from others (mutual regulation), and learn to cope on our own (self regulation).

→      Language provides the “inner dialogue” essential to effectively reason, comprehend, regulate emotions, and cope with the demands of everyday life.

→      Language development significantly predicts third-grade literacy and math outcomes.

By the end of elementary school, 61% of students with typical language development achieve the expected standard in literacy compared to only 15% of those without. Additionally, results from a national study of 265,000 five-year-olds found that children with effective use of language and communication were 19 times more likely to have high mental health competence than children without effective use of language and communication.

Children who have difficulties with language development at age 5 are:

·   4 times more likely to have reading difficulties

·   3 times more likely to have mental health difficulties

·   2 times more likely to be unemployed as an adult

Two-thirds of children and teens involved, or at risk of involvement, with foster care and juvenile justice do not indicate language development typically expected for their age.

“The limit of my language means the limit of my world.”                                    

   -Ludwig Wittgenstein

Based on the research, individuals, practitioners, and policymakers have the opportunity to institute a proactive approach that employs language as a well-being indicator.

It’s important to remember that engagement through frequent, positive social interactions with caregivers, educators, and peers is both a “gauge” of and the “fuel” for language development. That is why this course is designed for individuals, practitioners, and policymakers to employ practices that apply language as a well-being indicator to improve educational, mental health, and well-being outcomes - and impact quality of life - from birth through adulthood by focusing on the Why?, What?, and How?