Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

Which recommendation should a preschool teacher include in a presentation for parents about promoting language development?

1. Maintain eye contact when speaking with your children

2. Require children to name objects they want

3. Ask simple yes or no questions in conversations

4. Encourage participation in family conversations

The correct answer is: Encourage participation in family conversations

Encouraging participation in family conversations is a highly effective strategy for promoting language development in preschool-aged children. Engaging children in conversations helps them to practice their language skills in meaningful contexts. When children are included in discussions, they have the opportunity to hear language used in various ways, learn new vocabulary, and understand social cues associated with effective communication. This approach fosters an environment where children feel valued and motivated to express themselves, which can lead to more advanced language skills over time. The other options, while they may have some merit, may not be as comprehensive in fostering robust language development. For instance, maintaining eye contact when speaking with children is important for effective communication, but it doesn’t directly encourage the child to engage or expand their vocabulary. Requiring children to name objects they want can create pressure and may not be as effective in natural language use; it can inhibit spontaneous communication. Asking simple yes or no questions can limit children's responses, not encouraging them to elaborate or practice more complex sentence structures, making less impact on their overall language development. In contrast, encouraging participation in family conversations opens avenues for richer dialogue and learning experiences.