Play is one of the best ways for children to learn. It gives them opportunities to hear language, practise new words, take turns and communicate in a way that feels natural and fun.
You don't need special toys or structured activities. Everyday play can become a great opportunity to support your child's communication.
1. Follow your child's lead
Start by watching what your child is interested in and join their play.
If they're playing with cars, get down on their level and talk about what they're doing:
“Car is going!”
“Red car.”
“The car is fast!”
“Crash!”
Following their interests helps keep them engaged and gives you more opportunities to model language.
2. Talk about what you're doing
You don't need to constantly ask questions. Instead, talk about what you and your child are doing as you play.
For example:
“We're building a tower. One block... two blocks... oh no, it fell!”
This gives your child repeated opportunities to hear useful words and phrases in context.
3. Add one more word
Try expanding on what your child says rather than asking them to repeat you.
If they say:
“Dog!”
You could say:
“Big dog!”
If they say:
“Car go.”
You could say:
“The car is going!”
This naturally introduces slightly more complex language without putting pressure on your child.
4. Create opportunities to communicate
Sometimes, giving your child a reason to communicate can be more helpful than simply asking questions.
For example, give them a container that's difficult to open, pause before pushing a favourite toy, or hold onto a piece they need during a game.
Then wait.
Your child might use words, sounds, gestures, facial expressions or another way to let you know what they want.
Remember: communication doesn't have to be spoken words. Every attempt to communicate is valuable.
5. Make it fun!
The most important part is enjoying the interaction.
Sing songs, make silly sounds, play pretend, copy your child's actions and take turns. When children are having fun and feel connected, they're often more motivated to communicate.
Small moments can make a big difference
You don't need to set aside an hour every day for language practice. A few minutes of playful interaction throughout the day can provide lots of opportunities for your child to hear, understand and use language.
The goal isn't to turn play into therapy. It's about making the most of the everyday moments you already share with your child.
