10 fun language development activities to boost your child’s communication skills

Watching your child develop language skills is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting. From those first adorable coos to their first full sentences, each step is a milestone.  

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But language development is more than just a series of cute moments; it’s essential for your child’s overall cognitive and social growth.

If you’re wondering how to help your little one along this exciting journey, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re exploring 10 fun and engaging language development activities that boost your child’s communication skills.

Understanding language development

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Language development in children is a fascinating process that involves both the ability to understand language (receptive skills) and the ability to express themselves (expressive skills).

It’s a journey that begins at birth and continues into early childhood, influenced by genetic, social, and environmental factors.

How children learn speech and language

Children learn speech and language through interaction with their environment and the people around them.

From the moment they’re born, babies are exposed to the sounds and rhythms of speech, starting to recognise and mimic these patterns. This process involves several key stages:

Listening and observing: Babies begin by listening to the sounds around them and watching how people use language to communicate. They pick up on the tone, pitch, and rhythm of speech long before they understand the actual words.

Babbling and experimentation: Around six months, babies start to babble, experimenting with different sounds. This stage is important for developing the muscles and coordination needed for speech.

First words: Typically between 12 to 18 months, children start saying their first words. These are often simple, everyday words like “Mama” or “Dada.”

Building vocabulary: As children grow, they rapidly expand their vocabulary, learning new words through repetition and context. By age two, most children can form simple sentences and understand basic grammar.

Complex sentences and grammar: Between ages three and five, children’s sentences become more complex, and their understanding of grammar improves. They begin to use language to express more abstract ideas and engage in conversations.

How parents can support language development

Parents play a key role in their child’s language development. Here are some effective ways, and language development activities, to provide the necessary support:

Engage in regular conversations: Talk to your child throughout the day about what you’re doing, what they are doing, and what you see around you during everyday tasks. Even if they can’t respond yet, they are absorbing the sounds and rhythms of your speech.

Read together: Reading books to your child introduces them to new vocabulary and helps them understand the structure of language and stories. Make it interactive by pointing out pictures and asking questions.

Sing songs and rhymes: Music and rhymes are fantastic for developing phonological awareness—the ability to recognise and work with sounds in spoken language. Plus, they’re fun and engaging for children and encourage speech development.

Interactive play: Playtime offers numerous opportunities for language development activities. Games that involve following directions, naming objects, or role-playing can be particularly beneficial.

Encourage expression: Give your child plenty of opportunities to express themselves. Ask open-ended questions and show genuine interest in their responses. This boosts their confidence, encourages speech and supports more complex language.

Model good language habits: Speak clearly and correctly, avoiding baby talk. Your child learns by imitating you, so use proper grammar and a rich vocabulary to provide a good linguistic model for speech and language.

Praise and reinforcement: Offer positive reinforcement when your child uses new words or constructs sentences. Praise their efforts and gently correct any mistakes, turning them into learning opportunities for speech development.

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10 activities to boost communication

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1. Talk your way through the day

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to boost your child’s speech and language skills is to narrate your daily activities.

As you go about your routine, describe what you’re doing, seeing, and feeling. This constant stream of language exposure helps your child learn new words and understand how language works in context.

For example, while cooking, you might say, “I’m cutting the carrots. Look how orange they are! Now, I’m putting them in the pot to cook.”

During bath time, you could say, “Let’s wash your toes. Look at all the bubbles!” This ongoing dialogue enriches your child’s speech and helps them associate words with actions and objects in their environment.

2. Explore books together to develop language skills

Reading books with your child is a fantastic way to boost their language and develop needed speech skills. Choose age-appropriate books with colourful pictures and simple text. Point to the pictures and name the objects, asking your child to repeat the words after you. As they get older, encourage them to turn the pages and ask questions about the story.

For example, while reading a picture book about animals, you could say, “This is a lion. Can you roar like a lion?”

3. Role play and imaginative play

Role play and imaginative play are excellent for fostering speech and language development. Engage in pretend play scenarios with your child, such as playing house, shopping, or having a tea party.

This type of play encourages them to use language creatively and understand different social interactions.

For instance, during a pretend tea party, you might say, “Would you like some tea? How many sugar cubes do you want?” This prompts your child to respond and practice conversational skills.

Imaginative play helps children explore new vocabulary and practice using language in different contexts.

4. Listen to music and rhymes to boost phonological awareness

Music and rhymes are powerful tools for speech development. Singing songs and reciting nursery rhymes with your child can enhance their phonological awareness – the ability to recognise and work with sounds in spoken language. These skills are fundamental building blocks for later reading success.

For example, singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” helps your child learn about rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. You can also introduce action songs like “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” which combine physical movement with language.

5. Introduce new words and concepts

Introducing new words and concepts regularly helps expand your child’s vocabulary and understanding of the world.

You can do this during everyday activities or special outings. When you encounter something new, take the time to explain it and use descriptive language.

For example, during a trip to the zoo, you might say, “Look at the giraffe. It has a long neck to reach the leaves on tall trees.” At home, while cooking, you could introduce cooking-related vocabulary like “whisk,” “stir,” and “ingredients.” These interactions make learning new words a natural part of your child’s daily experiences.

6. Educational apps and online resources

Incorporating technology can be a great way to support your child’s language development.

Educational apps and online resources offer interactive and engaging ways to learn new words, practice pronunciation, and build comprehension skills. Choose age-appropriate apps designed to encourage active participation rather than passive watching.

For example, apps like “Endless Alphabet” introduce new vocabulary in a fun and interactive way, while “Starfall ABCs” helps with letter recognition and phonics.

Remember to balance screen time with other hands-on activities to ensure a well-rounded approach to learning.

7. Using everyday activities to develop language skills

Everyday activities offer countless opportunities for language development. Whether cooking, shopping, or doing household chores, involve your child and talk through what you’re doing. Describe each step and encourage them to ask questions and participate.

For example, while grocery shopping, you can say, “We need to buy apples. Can you help me find the red apples? How many should we get?” This not only teaches new vocabulary but also reinforces counting and categorisation skills.

8. Storytelling

Storytelling is a wonderful way to boost your child’s language skills and spark their imagination. You can tell stories from your childhood, create new ones together, or retell favourite tales. Encourage your child to participate by adding details, making sound effects, or acting out parts of the story.

For instance, you might start a story with, “Once upon a time, there was a little dragon who loved to explore,” and then ask your child, “What do you think the dragon found on its adventure?”

This interactive storytelling helps develop their narrative skills and creativity.

9. Picture book spotters

Using picture books as a game can make language learning fun and engaging. Choose books with detailed illustrations and play “spotting” games where you ask your child to find and name objects in the pictures.

For example, you can say, “Can you find the red car in this picture?” or “Where is the little cat hiding?” As they get better, increase the complexity by asking them to describe what the objects are doing or how they look.

10. Word chain

Building on the words and language your child already uses is an easy way to strengthen their language skills. The word chain game involves taking turns to say a word related to the previous one, which helps expand vocabulary and enhance understanding of language patterns.

For example, you might start with the word “Apple,” and your child could respond with “Fruit.” Continue taking turns, connecting each word to the previous one. If they get stuck, offer gentle hints to guide them.

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Wrapping it up

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Yes, it might seem overwhelming to nurture so many skills in our little ones – especially things we’ve become so used to. But most learning happens in small, everyday moments that we make the most of.

Add in a little fun, and you’ve got yourself an engaging language development activity!

Resources:

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Zero to Three, Let’s Talk About It: 5 Ways to Build Babies’ Language and Communication Skills from Birth, April 2022

RaisingChildren.net.au, Language and play: babies, February 2024

ASHA, Activities to Encourage Speech and Language Development