Early Language Intervention
Language competency is important for almost every aspect of a child’s life, including positive peer relations, effective communication, and adequate learning in school. Children with poor language skills might develop social and behavioral problems (Botting & Conti-Ramsden, 2000) and reading difficulties (Dickinson & Snow, 1987; Snow, Burns, & Griffin, 1998). Dickinson, McCabe, and Essex (2006) strongly suggested that systematic language instruction in preschools can help avert more intense language and reading intervention during primary grades. They described the preschool years as the window of language opportunity.