PLAY - A Vessel to Help Your Child Communicate

One commonly posed question in our sessions is: "What methods can effectively enhance my child's communication skills?"

The answer lies in the realm of play.

Play serves as a pivotal catalyst for communication, with language development and language proficiency being nurtured through interactive and active play sessions between a parent and child.

So what does this look like? Check out these three tips:

1. Foster Dialogue through Play: During playtime, comment on what your child is doing e.g. if they pick up a truck you could say;

• "Truck, the truck is driving!"

• "The truck is driving FAST!"

• "The truck is heading to the farm."

• "The truck is picking up the cows from the farm!"

• "Oh look, there is pig at the farm too."

2. Embrace Child-Led Play: Encourage your child to take the lead during play sessions and you simply follow. If they're playing with the truck for example and then run to pick up the ball, follow them and start playing with the ball too. You could comment and say;

• "Ball, ball up!"

• "Ball rolling."

• "Ball bouncing."

• "Your turn."

• "My turn."

3. Engage Fully for 30 Mins: Be present during play with your child. No phones, no TV, just you and your child playing together with no interruptions.