Encouraging Language and Communication at Home
Little chats lead to big leaps - here’s how to support your child’s speech and communication, every day.
Language develops at different speeds for every child, and that’s ok. Whether your little one is just starting to babble or speaking in full sentences, every interaction you have helps build their vocabulary, understanding and confidence. At Step Start, we support communication in everything we do and there are so many simple ways you can do the same at home.
Why language development matters
Language isn’t just about talking - it’s about thinking, connecting, asking questions, managing emotions and learning how the world works. The more language children are exposed to, the more opportunities they have to grow in all areas of development.
How we support communication at Step Start:
- We talk with children, not at home
- We model language clearly and slowly
- We ask open-ended questions to encourage conversation
- We support non-verbal children through Makaton, gestures and visuals
- We make space for children to respond, no pressure just time
Simple ways to boost communication at home:
Narrate the day
Talk through what you’re doing: “I’m washing the carrots. Now I’m putting them in the pan”. It builds vocabulary and models sentence structure.
Read together (and talk about it)
Books are brilliant for language. Ask questions like “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think they feel?”
Sing songs and rhymes
Repetition helps children learn new words and sentence patterns. Bonus: songs often help with memory and speech rhythm.
Give choices
“Do you want an apple or a banana?” It encourages children to use words to make decisions.
Wait for a response
Give your child time to reply, even if it takes longer than you expect. That pause is golden!
Expand what they say
If they say “Doggy run”, you can respond with “Yes, the dog is running fast!” This helps them hear full sentences.
It’s not about pushing - it’s about tuning in
Children learn language best when it’s part of everyday life, not a lesson. Whether you’re chatting in the car, singing in the bath or reading a bedtime story - you’re helping your child grow in all the right ways. At Step Start, we’re here to support that journey, one conversation at a time.