7 Fun and Easy Ways to Boost Your Child’s Language Skills

Playful Paths to Stronger Speech

Understanding and expressing emotions can be a challenge for young children. Their feelings can be intense, yet they may not always have the words or awareness to articulate what they’re going through. As parents and caregivers, supporting children in identifying and expressing their emotions can build emotional resilience, enhance their communication skills, and nurture their mental well-being.

Here’s how you can help children express their emotions in a way that is both supportive and empowering.

1. Read Together—A Lot

If there’s one thing that experts all agree on, it’s this: reading with your child is one of the most powerful ways to support their language development. Grab a book, get cosy, and enjoy the world of stories together.

For younger children, choose books with big pictures, rhymes, and repetitive phrases. Classics like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, and What Do You See? are perfect for building vocabulary. As your child gets older, they’ll enjoy chapter books, mysteries, or graphic novels—anything that sparks their imagination.

Make it interactive! Ask questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or encourage them to “read” by looking at the pictures and making up their own version of the story. This not only builds their language skills but also helps them think critically about what they’re hearing and seeing.

2. Talk About Everything—All the Time

Children learn language by hearing it, so make the most of everyday moments to chat. At the supermarket, talk about the colours of the fruit, count apples, or compare sizes. While cooking, describe what you’re doing: “I’m pouring milk into the bowl—can you help me stir?”

These simple conversations help your child learn new words, understand how sentences are put together, and feel more confident in expressing themselves. As the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists points out, engaging in daily conversations is one of the best ways to boost your child’s language development (RCSLT, 2017).

3. Get Silly with Stories and Pretend to Play

Children love a good story—especially the ones they get to make up themselves. Encouraging them to create their own tales and engage in role-play is a great way to boost their language skills. According to Zero to Three, pretend play is a fantastic tool for developing vocabulary, grammar, and social skills (Zero to Three, 2016).

Role-playing games like “Let’s Play Doctor” or “Pirates on an Adventure” not only add a dose of fun but also help children practice new words and phrases in context. If you add costumes or props, it can make the experience even more engaging, helping their creativity (and language) grow.

4. Sing, Rhyme, and Dance

Music is an excellent tool for language development. Singing songs and reciting nursery rhymes helps children learn how words sound, flow, and rhyme. According to the National Literacy Trust, rhyming songs can help young children recognise patterns in speech, which boosts their phonological awareness (National Literacy Trust, 2014).

Nursery rhymes like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star or The Wheels on the Bus are perfect for toddlers. For older kids, try making up your own silly songs or even learning a song in another language. And don’t forget to get moving dancing around to music while singing makes it a fun and memorable experience.

5. Use Screens Wisely

Let’s face it—screens are part of modern life, but it’s important to use them in ways that support learning. The National Health Service (NHS) recommends that if children are using screens, it’s best to choose age-appropriate, educational content and to engage with them during screen time (NHS, 2019).

Audiobooks: These are perfect for car journeys or quiet time at home. They expose children to rich language and storytelling.
Interactive apps: Choose apps that involve word puzzles, storytelling, or phonics practice.
Co-watching TV: If your child is watching TV, sit with them and talk about what they’re seeing. Ask questions like, “What do you think that character is feeling?” or “What’s going to happen next?”

Just remember to balance screen time with real-world conversations and activities.

6. Ask Questions (and Encourage Them to Ask Too)

Children are naturally curious, and when they start asking endless “why” and “how” questions, take the opportunity to answer them thoughtfully. Responding to their questions teaches them how to think critically, make sense of the world, and communicate better.

Flip the script by asking your own open-ended questions that encourage your child to share more. Instead of “Did you have a good day at school?” ask “What was the best part of your day?” or “What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re at school?” This helps children develop the ability to express themselves more clearly and think about things in more depth. According to Hanen Centre, asking open-ended questions helps children form more complex thoughts and sentences (Hanen Centre, 2017).

7. Be All Ears

One of the most important things you can do to support your child’s language development is to simply listen to them.

When they’re telling you a story—whether it’s about their favourite toy or a dream they had—give them your full attention. Get down to their level, make eye contact, and give them the time they need to express themselves. Even if they’re struggling to find the right words, resist the urge to finish their sentences for them.

When children feel listened to, they feel confident. And when they feel confident, they’ll be more likely to engage in conversations and experiment with language.

References

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). (2017). Supporting children’s speech and language development.
National Literacy Trust. (2014). The importance of rhyming for early literacy development.
Zero to Three. (2016). Pretend play and its role in language development.
NHS. (2019). Screen time and young children.

7 Fun and Easy Ways to Boost Your Child’s Language Skills

Playful Paths to Stronger Speech

1. Read Together—A Lot

2. Talk About Everything—All the Time

3. Get Silly with Stories and Pretend to Play

4. Sing, Rhyme, and Dance

5. Use Screens Wisely

6. Ask Questions (and Encourage Them to Ask Too)

7. Be All Ears

References

7 Fun and Easy Ways to Boost Your Child’s Language Skills

Helping Children to Express Their Emotions: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Separation Anxiety: Helping Your Child Thrive in a New Environment

The Power of Play: How Play-Based Learning Shapes Young Minds

Creating a Bedtime Routine That Works for You and Your Preschooler

Understanding Autism – A Friendly Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Footsteps Nurseries