Strong language skills are crucial for achieving academic and social success — and when parents provide children with enthusiastic language support at home, their language skills grow.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers parents the following proven ways to improve language skills, which integrate neatly into daily interactions with their children.
For younger children
Pay attention when your child speaks to you and get their attention before you talk to them. If your child doesn’t understand what you’re saying, try saying it differently.
Use extensions. Add an idea or level of complexity to your child’s remarks. For example, if your child says: “He got that.” You can say: “He has one red firetruck.”
Download How to Develop Children’s Language Skills →
Use wait time. Count silently to five after you speak. This pause gives your child time to process what you’ve said and then respond.
Make writing fun and practical. At home, ask your child to draw pictures of items on the grocery list — then talk about the first and last sounds of their favorite fruits or cereals.
Teach new words. When you spot a new word reading to your child, tell them what it means — then use the word in a sentence. Using the new word often is beneficial because it takes many repetitions to become part of their vocabulary.
For older children
Ask open-ended questions. Encourage your child to share their thoughts and ideas. “Yes” or “No” replies to your questions fit now and then but are very limiting.
Listen actively. After a thoughtful question, listen carefully to your child’s reply and respond in a way that shows you understand.
Download How to Develop Children’s Language Skills →
Explain concepts using a variety of senses. Visuals, hands-on, sound, and movement promote brain connections, better retention, and faster recall.
Use inference and problem-solving. Help your child identify possible outcomes and causes for different actions. Handy starting points include your child’s experiences, favorite books, videos, movies, and news.
Find time for screen-free conversation. Share emotions, opinions, and ideas. Try mealtime, soon after arriving home from school, and while driving.
Need help?
If you're in our service area and need more information, email or call us, and we'll get you in touch with a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.
Crest Hill, IL - 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills, IL - 708-599-9500
