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Tip of the Month: Building Language Skills
A common instinct when talking with young children is to ask lots of questions: “What’s that?” “What color is it?”
While questions have their place, too many can put pressure on a child to respond or shift them into “test mode.” This can reduce spontaneous communication, especially for children who are still building their language skills.
Instead, try commenting more than questioning.
Comments model language without requiring an immediate response. They give children space to listen, process, and join in when they’re ready.
What this can look like:
- During play: “The car is going fast!”
- At snack time: “You’re eating the crunchy apple.”
- Outside: “I hear a loud airplane!”
Why it helps:
- Provides clear language models tied to what the child is seeing or doing
- Reduces pressure, making interaction feel more natural
- Encourages children to initiate or imitate when they’re ready
If you do ask questions:
- Keep them simple and purposeful
- Balance them with several comments
- Give extra wait time for a response
A helpful rule of thumb: aim for 3–4 comments for every 1 question.
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