Yes, if you want your child develops fluency in speaking and writing, what better way there is than to immerse him to a rich environment where the language-- which you want him to learn-- is used.

Those who have had exposures to rich background, say, they have immersed themselves to the language while they were still in their learning peak--2 to 5 years of age--chances are they could have developed the right patterns of learning a language or two, and gaining mastery in the process.

Effortless use of the language--or fluency-- in speaking and writing, later develop in astronomical heights. Here are steps to help your child attain mastery of the language -- and prepare him to various opportunities later.

1. Expose your child to rich learning environment. Language tapes for listening and viewing are good starting point. Introduce the materials. Develop the habit for the child to go about it on his own pace. Speaking must be coupled with writing. He should not be learning the spoken, but the written word as well.

2. Immerse him to actual environment where language is used as way of communicating. According to Lev Vygotsky: a child has a black box in his brain recording all the learning and then effortlessly using them in his own communicative tasks. Make sure scaffolding is provided when some inconsistencies are encountered. And a mature guide, or adult must be the one doing it in subtlest way possible.

3. Books, newspapers, news on TV, internet and the like can be great avenues in developing fluency in speaking the language. Once a child knew the importance of these resource materials for his attaining mastery of the language he would voraciously absorb everything within his reach.

4. Positive reinforcement, say, a pat on the back, a praise and the like, could really make wonders. Why not lavish him with all these feel-good comments or gestures and be amazed by the magic it could create to his learning?

5. Modeling. Yes, parents could be the best guide for a child's language mastery. Make sure that you are using the language, both in speaking and writing, superbly. Or else, the output would be unsatisfactory.

Yes, helping your child gain competence in using the language needs your utmost support by providing him all the necessary resources. It only takes a matter of a little creativity! And, your child will use the language-- naturally!

The author is a mentor of teachers in elementary grades in the Philippines. Aside from being a grade school teacher, he is also contributing articles to magazines just to make good use of his spare time. He has joined writing contest in the past, but until now, he is dreaming of bagging an award! This is why, he is now trying his luck in this endeavor--blogging-- to find his niche and somewhere, somehow find a way of publishing a book.