Empowering Communication Skills Through Play

Play isn’t just fun — it’s one of the most powerful tools we have to support children’s communication and language development. And the best part? You don’t need fancy toys or special activities. With a little intention, everyday play and routines can become rich language-learning opportunities.

People Play: The Heart of Communication

One of the most important types of play for developing communication is people play — the kind of play that’s all about interaction, connection, and shared joy. Think: peekaboo, tickles, chasing games, songs with actions, or pretend play like tea parties or superhero adventures.

In people play, you are the toy! Your face, voice, expressions, and reactions become the most exciting part of the game. This encourages back-and-forth interaction, which builds the foundation for communication skills like taking turns, joint attention, and understanding emotions.

Go Beyond the Nouns

When we play with children, we often label objects: “ball,” “car,” “dog.” That’s great — but we can do even more! Use play as a chance to model a variety of word types:

🟢 Describing Words (Adjectives)

"This ball is bouncy!""Look, it’s a big, red car."

🔵 Action Words (Verbs)

"You’re rolling the ball!""I’m catching it!"

❤️ Feeling Words

"That was fun!""You look excited!""Oh no, you’re frustrated — let’s try again."

Follow Their Lead

One of the most powerful things you can do as a communication partner is to follow your child’s lead. If they’re interested in a toy car, join in and talk about that. If they want to run around, chase them and add language to the movement.

Instead of trying to lead the play, follow their interests and keep the interaction going. Communication grows best in a space where the child feels connected, seen, and understood.

Daily Routines = Language Goldmines

You don’t need to carve out “special time” to build language — everyday moments are perfect opportunities. Think about:

• Getting dressed ("Let’s put on your stripy socks!" / "Zip it up! Wow, you did it!")

• Bath time ("Splash splash!" / "Let’s wash your toes!")

• Meal times ("This apple is crunchy" / "Do you want more?")

Narrating what you’re doing, repeating key words, and allowing your child to participate in the routine builds language naturally and meaningfully.

The Power of Repetition and Modelling

Children learn best through hearing words again and again. Don’t be afraid to repeat words or phrases, especially during familiar games or routines.

You can also model what your child could say, rather than telling them what to say. For example:

• Instead of “Say ‘ball’,” try: “You threw the ball! It went so fast!”

• If they say “ball,” you could expand: “Yes, a big ball! Let’s roll it!”

This gentle way of modelling without pressure helps children learn language in a way that feels safe and fun.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're chasing bubbles, rolling play-dough, or going shopping — every moment is a chance to build your child’s communication skills.

Remember:

• Be playful

• Use a variety of words

• Model and repeat without pressure