Verbal communication: who, what, when, where & why?
By now your child is probably able to communicate pretty well. They’re learning new words and improving their communication skills through conversations with others every day. They can explain why ice cream is a much better snack than broccoli, or why they should be able to stay up and watch The Lego Movie on a school night. Your child may be so great at speaking, that you forget that they have so much more to learn. How can you help develop their growing vocabulary and communication skills at this stage of development?
Your child’s communication skills are getting better and better, but no one is perfect!
It’s normal for 6 to 8 year olds to have trouble communicating their thoughts and feelings at times. When this happens:
- Be patient. It can be tempting to try to fill in words that your child is searching for. Give them a second or two and let them work through this process on their own.
- Be supportive. If your child becomes frustrated when they have difficulty communicating, remind them that they are doing a great job and that you are proud of them for trying.
- Don’t rush your child when they are speaking. Give them time to think about and process what they are going to say. Don’t worry if your child mispronounces words. This is a normal part of development that they will most likely grow out of on their own.
- Use more detailed and complex “feeling words” in conversations. For example, instead of saying “happy” or “sad,” begin to use words like, “excited,” “frustrated,” “annoyed,” and “disappointed.” Speak to your child slightly above their age level, and do not use “baby talk.”
“What was the best part of your day?”
“What were some interesting things that happened today?”
“What did you learn at school today?”
Communicate with your child, not at your child.
- Maintain good eye contact, take turns when speaking, and ask them questions to make sure they understand you.
- Nod your head and respond appropriately when they are speaking to you. It’s important for your child to know that you’re listening and are interested.
- Ask questions if you don’t understand what they are saying.
Have a little fun!
Communication doesn’t have to be a boring chore for you and your child. There are tons of ways to make learning fun!
Have your child read books to you. Make time to talk about and understand what you’ve read together.
Although it’s important to be mindful of how much time your child spends watching TV, when they do, sit down with them and get to know their favorite characters. It’s much easier to have a conversation with your child about the things that they enjoy if you know the shows they’re watching. Ask questions about their favorite characters, the story in each episode, or what they think will happen next!
Talk with your child during car trips or at the grocery store. When driving, play games such as “I Spy,” “20 Questions,” “The Alphabet Game,” or the “License Plate Game.”
Help your child learn new words by introducing a “Word of the Day.” Each day, choose a new word to teach your child. Explain the meaning of the word, use the word in a sentence, and encourage them to find ways of using it during the day. Post all of the words your child has learned on the refrigerator door and replace them as the list gets longer and longer.
Click here to view Merriam-Webster’s “Word of the Day!”