Communication, Speech & Language Skills

Master these essential components of Communication, Speech & Language Skills

Building Vocabulary

Learning and using new words for objects, actions, and concepts

Activities:

  • 1Labeling objects: Point to objects and name them (e.g., 'This is a ball. Can you say ball?').
  • 2Describing pictures: Use picture books to talk about what you see (e.g., 'The dog is big and brown').
  • 3Word games: Play 'I Spy' to practice naming objects and describing them (e.g., 'I spy something red and round').

Understanding Word Relationships

Recognizing how words are related in meaning

Activities:

  • 1Synonym matching: Play a game where you match words with similar meanings (e.g., 'happy' and 'joyful').
  • 2Opposite charades: Act out opposites (e.g., 'hot' vs. 'cold,' 'fast' vs. 'slow').
  • 3Category sorting: Use toys or pictures to sort items into groups (e.g., 'animals,' 'vehicles').

Understanding Multiple Meanings

Recognizing that words can have different meanings in different contexts

Activities:

  • 1Multiple meaning match-up: Use pictures or objects to show different meanings of words (e.g., a picture of a 'bat' animal and a 'bat' for baseball).
  • 2Context clues game: Read sentences and ask your child to explain the meaning of a word based on the context.
  • 3Storytelling: Create stories that include words with multiple meanings and discuss them.

Understanding Figurative Language

Comprehending non-literal language use

Activities:

  • 1Idiom charades: Act out idioms and explain their meanings (e.g., 'It's raining cats and dogs').
  • 2Simile scavenger hunt: Look for objects that fit similes (e.g., 'Find something as soft as a pillow').
  • 3Joke time: Share simple jokes and explain why they're funny.

Understanding Questions and Directions

Comprehending and responding to different types of questions and instructions

Activities:

  • 1Question games: Ask your child questions about their day (e.g., 'What did you eat for breakfast?').
  • 2Direction fun: Give simple directions (e.g., 'Pick up the ball and put it in the box').
  • 3Question charades: Act out actions and have your child ask questions to guess what you're doing.

Understanding Contextual Meaning

Using context to understand word meanings and implied messages

Activities:

  • 1Context clue stories: Read a sentence with an unfamiliar word and ask your child to guess its meaning.
  • 2Tone of voice game: Use different tones to say the same sentence and discuss how the meaning changes.
  • 3Inference puzzles: Use pictures or short stories to ask, 'What do you think will happen next?'