5 Ways to Help Kids Learn Through Play

Flashcards? NOPE! Functional, play-based activities with toys you already have in your home? YES!

Children learn best through play—especially when it’s fun, natural, and pressure-free. Here are five simple ways you can support your child’s communication skills at home.

1. Follow Your Child’s Lead

Instead of directing play, join what your child is already interested in.

If they’re lining up cars:

• Talk about the cars (“slow”, “fast”, “big”, “small”)

• Make simple sounds (“beep beep”, “vroom”)

• Label actions (“go”, “push”, “stop”)

When your child is engaged, they’re more likely to listen, imitate, and communicate.

2. Use Simple, Repetitive Language

Short phrases are easier for young children to process and imitate.

Instead of:

“Let’s put the puzzle piece in the right spot!”

Try:

“Puzzle in.”
“Go in!”
“Yay, in!”

Repetition helps give your child more chances to process the language they are hearing.

3. Create Opportunities to Communicate

Set up playful moments where your child needs to communicate.

Examples:

• Put favorite toys in a clear container

• Pause during a song

• Keep a preferred snack up high and out of direct reach

Looks, gestures, or sounds are all communication—respond to it and model the word. Don’t ask your child to “Say X”, instead just simply model the word for them.

4. Model, Don’t Pressure

If your child points to a ball, you can say:

“Ball! Big ball!” or “Ball! Roll Ball!”

There’s no need to ask them to “Say” what you say. Instead, when kids hear words often and in context it builds understanding and confidence over time, making it more likely they will imitate the words as well!

5. Build Speech Into Everyday Routines

Some of the most meaningful learning happens during daily activities like:

• Mealtime: (“more”, “all done”, “eat”)

• Bath time (“wash”, “splash”, “bubbles”)

• Getting dressed (“shirt”, “on”, “off”)

These routines are predictable, which makes learning language feel safe and fun.

Remember: Play Is Powerful

Speech development shouldn’t feel like work. When learning happens through play, children feel successful—and success leads to confidence.

Any questions? Contact me at: allison@lioncubspeech.com