How Do You Support a Child’s Communication Development?

Communication is a fundamental skill that children need to connect with the world around them. From their first words to engaging in conversations, strong communication development in early childhood sets the foundation for confidence, learning, and meaningful relationships.

In this guide, we’ll explore why communication development is so important, practical ways parents and educators can support it, and simple activities to help children grow into confident communicators.

Why is Communication Development Important in Early Childhood?

Communication development in early childhood is about more than just talking. It includes a range of skills—listening, understanding, expressing ideas, and non-verbal cues like gestures and facial expressions. Developing these skills allows children to:

• Build relationships with family, friends, and peers.
• Express their feelings, thoughts, and needs effectively.
• Improve their ability to learn and problem-solve through conversations.

Strong communication skills also support academic success by helping children engage with teachers, follow instructions, and participate actively in learning environments. By nurturing communication from an early age, we empower children to feel confident, heard, and understood.

What Are the Stages of Communication Development?

Understanding the stages of communicative development can help parents and educators support children effectively. Here’s a brief overview:

• Babbling and Gestures (0–12 months): During the first year, babies begin to explore sounds, facial expressions, and gestures as a way to communicate their needs and emotions. You’ll hear cooing, babbling, and repetitive sounds like “ba-ba” or “da-da.” Babies also start using gestures such as waving, clapping, or reaching for objects to express themselves. Responding positively to these early attempts at communication, like smiling, talking back, and mirroring their gestures, helps babies understand that their efforts are meaningful.

• First Words (12–18 months): Around this stage, children begin to use simple, recognisable words to express their needs and desires. Common words like “mama,” “dada,” “no,” and “milk” emerge as they associate words with objects, people, or actions. Children also begin to point at things they want or find interesting, using words alongside gestures to communicate. Parents and caregivers can support this stage by repeating key words, narrating everyday activities, and celebrating small milestones, which reinforces vocabulary development.

• Short Sentences (18 months–3 years): Between 18 months and 3 years, children experience a rapid vocabulary growth and start combining words to form simple sentences. Phrases like “want cookie,” “go park,” or “big car” reflect their growing ability to string words together to share thoughts or express feelings. At this stage, children begin to understand basic questions and instructions, such as “Where’s your toy?” or “Can you put that here?” Encouraging conversations, asking open-ended questions, and exposing children to books and rhymes helps them strengthen sentence structure and confidence in speaking.

• Conversations (3–5 years): By the time children reach 3 to 5 years, they can participate in simple conversations, ask and answer questions, and share ideas with greater clarity. They become more expressive, using longer sentences and descriptive words to explain what they see, think, or feel. Children also begin to follow multi-step instructions, retell stories, and understand social cues like taking turns when speaking. Supporting this stage through storytelling, group activities, and regular conversations helps refine their communication skills and prepares them for school and social interactions.

How Can Parents Support Communication Development?

1. Talk to Your Child Often

Talking to your child regularly is one of the simplest and most effective ways to boost communication. Describe daily activities, name objects around the house, and ask open-ended questions like, “What did you enjoy about today?” to encourage conversation.

The more children hear and practise language, the more confident they become.

2. Read Together Every Day

Reading is a powerful tool for communication development in early childhood. Picture books, stories, and rhymes introduce new words, help with sentence structure, and spark curiosity. As you read, ask questions like, “What do you think happens next?” or encourage them to describe the pictures.

Explore creative storytelling options in Play & Learn at Home for fun ways to make reading interactive.

3. Listen and Respond

Listening is just as important as talking. When your child speaks, make eye contact, show interest, and respond thoughtfully. This reassures them that their voice is important and encourages further communication.

If they struggle to express something, gently prompt them with questions or help them find the words they’re looking for.

4. Encourage Play-Based Learning

Play is an incredible way to build communication skills. Activities like role-playing, storytelling games, and building blocks encourage children to describe, explain, and share their ideas.

For group play activities that promote communication, check out Activities That Our Children Enjoy.

5. Limit Screen Time and Focus on Interaction

While technology can be educational, too much screen time can limit opportunities for face-to-face communication. Set aside tech-free times during meals, playtime, or car rides to focus on meaningful conversations.

How Can Educators Support Communicative Development?

Educators play a key role in helping children develop strong communication skills. Here are some practical strategies:

• Create Language-Rich Environments: Use songs, rhymes, and stories to expose children to a variety of words and sounds.

• Encourage Group Activities: Activities like show-and-tell, group storytelling, or puppet play allow children to practise speaking, listening, and collaborating.

• Support Individual Needs: Pay attention to each child’s communication style and provide tailored support. Some children may need extra encouragement, while others may benefit from visual aids or non-verbal communication tools.

By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, educators can help children build the confidence to express themselves and engage with others.

Activities Promote Communication Development

Here are a few simple and effective activities to nurture communication skills at home or in the classroom:

• Storytelling Games – Create stories together, taking turns to add details. This sparks imagination and improves sentence-building skills.

• Sing Songs and Rhymes – Songs and nursery rhymes make learning words fun while improving memory and rhythm.

• Role-Playing – Pretend play, like acting out a shop or a family scenario, encourages children to use new words and practise conversation skills.

• Puppet Shows – Use puppets or toys to encourage children to narrate and express ideas through play.

These activities make communication development enjoyable while supporting language growth naturally.

How Can You Tell If Your Child Needs Extra Support?

While every child develops communication skills at their own pace, some may need extra support. Signs to watch for include:

• Difficulty understanding instructions or following conversations.
• Limited vocabulary or trouble forming sentences by age 3.
• Avoidance of speaking or frustration when trying to express ideas.

If you notice these signs, consider speaking to your child’s educator or a speech-language professional for guidance. Early intervention can make a big difference in helping children overcome communication challenges.

Supporting Communication Development Together

Helping your child develop strong communication skills is one of the greatest gifts you can offer. Whether through daily conversations, shared stories, or playful activities, every moment spent nurturing communication helps build confidence, creativity, and connection.

At Fit Kidz, we’re dedicated to creating fun, supportive environments where children can thrive. For more resources on childhood development, explore our Activities That Our Children Enjoy and Play & Learn at Home pages.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to Contact Us—we’re here to help every step of the way.