Written by: Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, Founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center
Originally Published: January 2017 | Updated: August 31, 2026
Are you wondering what you can do at home to support your child’s speech and language development? The answer is simpler and more fun than you might think: Play. Here’s how to build language skills during play using three core strategies.
Play is a child’s natural language. It’s the environment where they are most engaged, motivated, and open to learning. By incorporating a few simple strategies into your daily playtime, you can powerfully boost your child’s skills while spending quality time together.
Here are three core strategies you can use to turn any playtime into a language-building activity.
Strategy 1: Become a “Sportscaster” and Narrate Everything
Talk about what you and your child are doing as you do it. This technique, also called parallel and self-talk, surrounds your child with language that is directly connected to their actions.
The Key: Use short, simple, and repetitive sentences that are grammatically correct.
Play Example (playing with balls):
- “Roll the ball.”
- “Wow, a big ball!”
- “My ball. Your ball.”
- “The ball goes up, up, up.”
Strategy 2: Practice the “Serve and Return” of Conversation
Communication is a two-way street. We practice this by taking turns. You can model this fundamental conversational skill in your play.
Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child describes serve and return interactions as one of the most powerful ways young children build communication and social skills.
The Key: First, you do an action, then your child does the action. This teaches the back-and-forth rhythm of interaction. Don’t forget to narrate what you’re doing!
Play Example (playing with dolls):
- You say, “My turn to feed the baby,” and pretend to feed the doll.
- Then, you hand the bottle to your child and say, “Your turn to feed the baby!”
Strategy 3: Turn Story Time into a Language-Rich Conversation
Reading together is one of the best ways to build vocabulary. You can make it even more powerful by making it interactive.
The Key: Go beyond just reading the words on the page. Use the pictures to start a conversation.
Reading Example:
- Point and Label: Point to illustrations and name what you see. “Look, a blue fish!”
- Ask Simple Questions: Ask “wh-” questions like, “Where is the dog?” or “What is the boy doing?”
- Let Them Fill in the Blank: When reading a familiar, repetitive book, pause and let them complete the sentence. “Brown bear, brown bear, what do you ____?”
If you are ever concerned about your child’s progress, trust your instincts. One of our speech-language pathologists can partner with you to help your child communicate clearly and confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best toys for language development? The best toys are often the simplest. Choose open-ended toys that require imagination, like blocks, dolls, a play kitchen, cars, or animal figurines. These toys encourage your child to create the story and the sounds, unlike electronic toys that do the talking for them.
Should I use “baby talk”? It’s important to distinguish between two things. Using a loving, high-pitched, sing-song tone of voice (called “parentese”) is great for getting an infant’s attention. However, you should always use real words and correct grammar. Instead of “Me want baba,” say “I want my bottle!” in a warm, friendly tone.
My child isn’t talking yet. How can I use these strategies? These strategies are perfect for pre-verbal children! Your goal is to provide a rich language model. Narrate their actions and respond to their gestures, eye contact, and sounds as if they were words. This teaches them the power of communication and the rhythm of conversation long before they say their first word.
Is it possible to talk too much? Yes. Remember to pause and create space for your child to respond, even if it’s just with a look or a sound. The goal is a back-and-forth interaction, not a monologue. Watch your child’s cues, if they seem overwhelmed, simplify your language or just enjoy a moment of quiet play together.
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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