Part 6 Module: Course Closure

On this journey, you learned that language development dramatically and positively impacts life outcomes in several ways -  in ways that can shape a child’s academic experience, social interactions, and overall well-being. Conversely, you learned that failure to develop a capacity for effective communication jeopardizes their emotional maturity, self-regulation, and quality of life.

You learned a proactive approach in which all who interact with caregivers and children can employ the understanding that language is the primary vehicle for frequent and positive social connections. This approach considers language as a well-being indicator that is foundational for literacy and academic success, emotional and mental health, and positive quality of life.

Additionally, you learned the steps to proactively employ language as a well-being indicator through practical strategies to alert you to NOTICE language indicators of well-being, MONITOR engagement a to proactively gauge language development, SCREEN for potential difficulties with language development if indicated, and use the information gained from screening to ENHANCE opportunities for engagement at home, in the classroom, and in community settings. You learned that by observing children in many settings, noticing when children are engaged, monitoring their use of language to enhance frequent, functional, socially oriented, and fluid communications across all settings, children can thrive.

In this course, you learned how to implement the “why” and “what” of language in a manner that is sustainable for individuals, practitioners, and policymakers, because language is the primary vehicle for frequent and positive social connections. And you learned that it begins with how we mentor one another—parent to parent, health care provider to health care provider, educator to educator— so that we can identify what we’re already doing to enhance engagement and to identify opportunities to advance engagement in many ways and in many settings that also address the gap between our knowledge of the impact of language and our universal practices and policies in order to apply this vision.

You also learned about the Six-Step Mentorship Process, which aligns with adult learning techniques that build upon what is already being done successfully to facilitate interactions and to encourage curiosity about where opportunities may be for next steps to enhance learning. This generates continued and sustained interest in having conversations, which reinforces the use of language as a well-being indicator.

Congratulations on completing the course!

You are now ready to apply what you have learned to your work with children of all ages and adults and you’re prepared to share with others why language training and awareness are essential at the practice and policy levels.

We hope you will join the effort  to guide colleagues and others that you work with toward strategies on how to apply language as a well-being indicator at the decision-making level that impacts individuals, schools, school districts, and communities because language truly is the missing link.

Download a copy of the Language as a Missing Link Toolkit by accessing it on the Sandra D. Deal Center for Language and Literacy webpage. https://www.galiteracycenter.org/language-as-a-missing-link