Did You know?
Did You Know?
Children develop speech and language skills in amazing ways—and often learn best when they’re simply playing and having fun. Children with actively involved parents show higher academic achievement, stronger communication skills, and improved social development.
Creating natural, engaging moments throughout the day can make a powerful difference in your child’s communication growth. Here are some simple, enjoyable ways to support speech and language at home:
Songs That Teach
- Wheels on the Bus — encourages imitation of actions, verbs, and everyday vocabulary
- Old MacDonald Had a Farm — teaches animal names, sounds, and early word combinations
- Baby Shark — supports imitation, labeling family members, and simple sequencing
- Five Little Ducks — introduces counting, repetition, and early storytelling
- Row, Row, Row Your Boat — builds rhythm, turn-taking, and shared interaction
- Who Took the Cookie? — encourages participation, questioning, and social language
- I’m a Little Teapot — pairs movement with language for better retention
- Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star — supports memory, rhythm, and early vocabulary
- Itsy Bitsy Spider — strengthens sequencing and fine motor + language connection
- London Bridge — promotes group play, anticipation, and interaction
- Pop Goes the Weasel — builds anticipation and cause-and-effect language
Toys That Teach
- Cars & Trains — model sounds like “vroom,” “beep,” and action words like “go,” “stop,” “fast”
- Dolls & Play Figures — encourage pretend play, conversation, and social language
- Blocks & Building Toys — introduce concepts like colors, sizes, counting, and problem-solving
- Puzzles — build vocabulary, labeling, and requesting (“help,” “more,” “turn”)
- Bubbles — great for turn-taking, requesting, and eye contact
- Cause-and-Effect Toys — help children understand actions and outcomes (“push,” “open,” “again”)
Daily Language Moments
Tips for Supporting Older Children (School-Age)
It’s common for young children to go through periods of disfluency as their language skills are developing. However, some patterns may indicate a need for additional support.
Read Together—Then Talk About It
Move beyond just reading accuracy and focus on having a discussion.
Ask questions like:
- Why do you think that happened?
- What do you think will happen next?
- How do you think the character felt?
This builds vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
Keep It Engaging (Without Feeling “Babyish”)
Use humor, storytelling, and real-life connections to keep older kids interested.
Encourage them to:
Practice Social Communication
Talk through real-life situations:
- “What could you say if that happens?”
- “How do you think your friend felt?”
- Act out scenes or explain events like they’re the “teacher”
This helps with perspective-taking and problem-solving.
Want to Learn More?
We believe informed parents feel more confident supporting their child’s communication. Below
are trusted resources you can explore to learn more about speech and language development.
Developmental Milestones (Birth–5 Years)
From American Speech-Language-Hearing Association A comprehensive guide to what to expect as your child develops communication skills from birth through age 5.
ASHA Milestones by Age
Breakdowns of communication skills by specific age ranges to help you track your child’s progress more closely.
Speech Sound Disorders (ASHA)
Learn more about articulation and speech sound development, including signs, causes, and treatment options.
Speech & Language Milestone Chart (PRO-ED / LD Online)
A user-friendly chart outlining typical developmental expectations across early childhood.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
A research-based overview of speech and language development and when to seek help.
Identify the Signs Toolkit (ASHA + Read Aloud 15 Minutes)
Practical tips and milestones to help parents support communication through everyday interactions.
ASHA Developmental Milestones Handouts
Printable guides you can use to track development and better understand your child’s progress.
Speech Intelligibility Guidelines
Learn what percentage of your child’s speech should be understood at different ages.
ASHA Developmental Norms & Resources for Professionals A deeper dive into communication norms often used by speech-languag
A deeper dive into communication norms often used by speech-language pathologists.
Still have questions? We’re here to help you make sense of it all and guide you toward theright next step for your child.
Expert Support, Right Where Your Child Needs It
From first words to confident communication, we provide personalized concierge speech and language therapy in the comfort of your home or location.
Together, we’ll create a plan that fits seamlessly into your family’s life and leads to meaningful, lasting progress.