At the baby and toddler age, children learn best in an informal learning environment – meaning children learn by example. They are learning emotional skills, social skills and practical skills like using the hose to water the garden by following our example.  They learn the basics of language by taking the lead from the older people around them who model the fluency in that language. Language basics are learned through immersion not through rote teaching. In the informal learning environment, a good role model is key.