Growing Language with Play
How to Use Play to Encourage Language Development at Home
Did you know that play is one of the most effective ways to build language skills? When kids play, they’re naturally motivated to communicate—whether they’re describing what they’re doing, asking for help, or interacting with others.
Why Play is Key for Language Development
Language thrives in meaningful contexts, and play provides just that. For example:
Pretend Play: Acting out scenarios like “going to the store” or “playing doctor” introduces new vocabulary and concepts that can be carried over into real world scenarios.
Building Play: Describing what’s being built with LEGO or Magna-Tiles encourages kids to use spatial language (“on top,” “next to,” etc.). Remember, MODEL the example for your child. Don’t just quiz them by asking, “Where’s the dog?” Instead, try saying, “Whoa that dog is on top of the house! Be careful pup!”
If your co-viewing with your child, Mister Clay and Ms. Rachel also offer playful songs and activities that are perfect for building vocabulary while keeping kids engaged. Pair a felt board activity with songs like “Five Little Puppies” to reinforce concepts like counting and action words.
3 Easy Tips to Boost Language During Play
Narrate Their Actions: For example, if your child is playing with a toy car, say, “Wow, the car is zooming so fast down the track!” This exposes them to descriptive language.
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of asking, “Is this the red block?” try, “What will you build next?” Open-ended questions encourage more language use.
Use Props: Toys like Fisher-Price Little People or Melissa & Doug playsets are great for sparking conversations.
By turning everyday play into a language-rich experience, you help your child build communication skills naturally and joyfully.
