Author: Rebecca Manari | June 11th, 2022
When we talk to our little ones, we sometimes naturally switch to a fun vocabulary and we do this without really thinking too hard about why we do it. But did you know that there’s a word for this very fun vocabulary, and the word sounds just as fun as those words themselves!
This word is Onomatopoeia and it refers to all those cool fun words and sounds that mimic sounds that we are trying to describe.
Common ones are CRASH, BANG, WALLOP! There’s a huge list of words just like this which can be a great tool in promoting interest in listening and in promoting language development in toddlers.
Think the tick-tock of a clock, knock- knock on a door, Saying ‘Zoom!’ when a car or motorbike zips past you, tap-tap when walking, or shouting ‘Whee!’ while going down a slippery slide.
These exciting words make sentences more fun because they add layers to a more abstract thing as just a sentence. By including a sound effect in the sentence, we are adding the very subtle effect of sensory input (hearing in this case) into a sentence which gives the feel of an experience.
Anyone who has used these words around children knows that kids love words like these, and naturally, would pay more attention when their everyday heard language experiences are dotted with such cool words.
At Sethu, we see many children with speech and language delays who are brought here by their worried parents, when the child isn’t picking up speech as fast or as well as their peers are. Often, small changes in the ways we interact with our toddlers can help. And onomatopoeia is one such addition that anyone can adapt into everyday conversations!
What is great is that onomatopoeia isn’t restricted to an English vocabulary, but is present in most languages. It doesn’t matter what language your child is most comfortable with, chances are that onomatopoeia words exist in your native tongue as well! ‘Turrrrr’, for the sound of a bike is an example.
Or saying ‘gusshaaa’ while pouring water over a child during bath time is said in most homes in Goa.
Some words are very closely linked to nature sounds such as ‘gudgud’ the word for thunder, or ‘kooie-kooie’ to draw attention to a bird, which is often used. Can you think of some more examples in Konkani? Please do comment below.
Make a conscious effort to lace your language with these fun words and watch your child enjoy language and we feel you will have some whizz-bang fun while you are at it!
Do reach out to our parent co-ordinator for further information. You can connect with me, through Sethu: from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm on +91-7720013749.