What is the significance of "expanding" a child's speech in terms of language development?

The significance of expanding a child's speech lies in the practice of adding more information to what the child has expressed. This approach plays a critical role in language development, as it not only validates the child's attempts at communication but also models richer vocabulary and more complex sentence structures. By expanding on a child's words, caregivers and educators provide opportunities for the child to learn new concepts and phrases, which can lead to greater language comprehension and production skills.

For example, if a child says, "Dog," an adult might respond with, "Yes, that big, fluffy dog is running," thereby introducing adjectives and more details. This kind of interaction fosters an environment where children can receive supportive scaffolding, encouraging them to explore and express their thoughts more fully over time.