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Some children speak like small adults, with a wide vocabulary and plenty of confidence. Others are not so fluent and take a while to really get going with speech and conversation. If your preschool-aged child isn’t very vocal yet but you’d like to improve their vocabulary sooner rather than later, then the best approach is to go for it right now.
Conversation counts
We all talk to our children – but do you actually converse with yours? Talking to your child about what is happening or what they can see around them is vital but so is trying to help them join in the conversation.
Ask them questions – simple ones of course but questions designed to get them thinking. For example, if you’re out for a walk and you see some flowers – ask them which one is their favourite. If they tell you, ask them about that flower in particular – what colour is it? Is it big or little? Does it have a smell? Drawing children into the conversation isn’t difficult, it’s about helping them give opinions and thoughts.
Reading every day
And preferably more than one book! You can’t read to your child too much. If they would happily sit down to read twenty times per day then do that if you have time.
Show them the pictures, let them turn the pages, use your voice to the best possible degree – try to be expressive so they can understand the meaning of the words and the story.
When they are not reading and you are busy why not use audiobooks to help them learn more?
Out and about
When you’re out and about with your child and adults talk to you, including your child in the conversation. Imagine a shop assistant comments on a wet day – you can turn to your child and ask them “Do you like the rain?”.
Ensure that you model a good response if they’re shy – for example, you could say, “He does like the rain usually – I’m not sure about today though.” In this way, you’re not putting words in your child’s mouth but still showing them how conversation works.
Eat together
Conversation around the dinner table is a wonderful way for children to learn how to converse and to listen to adults speak. Children listen all the time – so ensure the conversation is suitable for small ears but always let them join in. Once they start nursery or preschool, they’ll be among peers on a regular basis which will help them to develop their vocabulary much faster. This day nursery in Kensington ensures all pupils are encouraged to speak up and converse together. A child who is regularly heard will naturally gain confidence when it comes to speaking and their vocabulary will increase as a result.
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