5 Everyday Moments That Help Improve Your Child’s Language Development: Written by a Speech Therapist :)

Sunday, January 12th, 2025
Little Sunshine Pediatric Therapy, LLC - 5 Everyday Moments That Help Improve Your Child’s Language Development: Written by a Speech Therapist :)

As parents and caregivers, we play a significant role in shaping our child’s language skills. Although I am a speech language therapist, finding time to do this still seems hard. However, I am here to tell you, that it can be done through everyday routines! While formal learning experiences are valuable, it’s often the simple, everyday routines and moments that provide the best opportunities for language development.  Whether it’s narrating your actions during a grocery run or playing with toys, these moments can have agreat mpact on your child’s ability to communicate. In this blog, we’ll explore five easy ways to improve your child’s language development without even trying!

1. Talking Through Daily Activities
Everyday tasks—like cooking, cleaning, bathtime, or running errands—are packed with chances to build your child’s vocabulary. As you go about your day, narrate what you’re doing and name objects or actions. This allows your child to hear new words in context, helping them make connections between words and their meanings. For example, while shopping at Target, you might say, “I’m putting the apples in the cart. These apples are red and shiny!” 

Pro Tip: Use age-related vocabulary (e.g., categories such as animals, furniture, vehicles, food, colors,  shapes, textures). They’ll begin to understand the world around them more deeply.

2. Engaging in Play

Play is a powerful tool for language development. You can allow your child to lead and follow them, while still expanding language. When your child engages in play  they’re not just having fun—they’re practicing communication and expanding their vocabulary. Playing with dolls, action figures, or toy kitchen set are great! However, sometimes activities involving you and your child are even better (i.e. peek-a-boo, hide and seek, chasing each other, tickling). You can narrate playtime and also ask questions like, “What is the baby doll doing?” or “Where is the truck going?” Role-playing with toys are huge for language devleopment as well as building executive functioning skills!

Pro Tip: To help with emotional and self-regulaiton, incorporate simple words of emotion (happy, sad, scared) into play scenarios to help your child build emotional language and give explanations as to why you're feeling a certain way. 

3. Reading Together
Reading is one of the most impactful ways to support language development. The simple act of reading aloud to your child exposes them to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and storytelling elements. Make storytime interactive by pointing to pictures and describing them, asking questions about the story, and encouraging your child to flip through the pages.

Pro Tip: It is okay if your child wants to flip through the pages! Let them. You do not always have to read the words to the story. Make up your own!

4. Play That Promotes Social Skills and Working Together:
Interactive play, such as playing with peers, helps children practice the language skills they need for communication with others. Simple games like “Simon Says,” board games, red light green light, or role-playing games (i.e. Playing School) teach children how to take turns, follow instructions, and use language with siblings and peers.  Sometimes your child may need you to be their model to understand how these games work. So, play with them and show them how fun this can be.

Pro Tip: Use games that require taking turns or following simple commands to promote social interaction and listening skills.

5. Setting a Good Example
As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. Children learn by observing, so the way you speak and interact with others serves as a model for them. Use clear, simple language and be mindful of your tone and body language. You don’t need to overthink it—just be intentional in your everyday interactions. Encourage your child to repeat words or phrases and model appropriate responses in different social situations.

It’s not only about speaking clearly, but also about how you express yourself emotionally and socially. When children see positive interactions, they learn how to express themselves in kind, respectful ways.

Pro Tip: Positive reinforcement goes a long way. Instead of pointing out something negative, try to point out the positive behavior and decisions your child makes. 

TAKEAWAY:

Every moment is an opportunity to help your child grow and develop their language skills. By incorporating these five simple strategies into your daily routine, you’ll not only foster language development but also strengthen your bond with your child. Parenting is tough work, and it can often feel like there’s a lot to juggle. The good news is that these are easy ways to boost your child’s language without needing to reinvent the wheel. Whether it’s talking through daily activities, engaging in play, reading together, encouraging social interaction, or setting a good example, you’re actively supporting your child’s ability to communicate, express, and thrive.

Tags: #speech therapy #language development #daily routines
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