How to Develop Your Child's Language Through Play

Your child's language is developing day in, day out.You need to describe the toys that your child
He is learning new words each day by listening toplays with.
people talking around him like his family, TV andDescriptive talk introduces the different names of
the radio. Each child is an individual, no two childrenthe toys your child is playing with. (E.g. "you are
are the same and therefore each child will learnholding the ball, the ball is orange")
language at their own pace. It is important thatStep 3:
you as parents communicate to your child asTalk about everything that you and your child are
much as possible. It is really important for parentsdoing. This will help match the language to the
to play with their child as much as possible if itparticular action you are doing. (E.g. "I am bouncing
has been found their child has a language delay. Itthe ball and now I am holding the ball")
is also important that the child's environmentStep 4:
provides a lot of opportunity for them to playPurposefully use language.
creatively.Ask questions and encourage him to ask
What You Will Needquestions as well. Children need to use words to
- Toys that are age appropriate for your child.accomplish certain things, this is purposeful
Step 1:language coming into effect. (E.g. "can you help
Parallel talk while you are playing with your child.me tie this lace")
Parallel talking is basically talking about what yourStep 5:
child is doing while he is playing. (E.g. "you have aHave conversations with your child. Talk to your
red block in your hand and now you are putting achild while you play together and encourage him
blue one on top of the red block".) Parallel talkingto talk back to you by leaving enough gaps in
introduces names and actions into your child'sbetween the things you say, so as your child is
vocabulary.given enough chance to talk back to you.
Step 2: