Hints and tips to help your preschooler’s language development

As your preschooler’s language becomes more sophisticated they may need a little help with the complex grammatical rules of English.

Is, am, are

Some children have problems remembering to use the words, ‘is’, ‘am’ and ‘are’ (auxiliary verbs) in their speech. It is normal for children under three to leave out these words, however your preschooler should now be practicing using these words everyday.

Talk about what is happening when you wall to the park “the birds are singing”, “the girl is riding”, “I am pushing you “. Slightly emphasise the auxiliary word in these sentences.

If your child leaves out a word, acknowledge that you understand what they have said and then say the sentence back to them in a grammatically correct way:

  • Child: “The girl riding”
  • You: “That’s right. The girl is riding”

This process is called recasting

Don’t ask your child to repeat you, simply try and maximise the number of times you are modelling these short phrases with your child.

Pronouns

Pronouns are the words we use to refer to ourselves and other people. The first pronouns that children learn are ‘me’, ‘mine’, ‘you’ and ‘yours’. They then learn ‘I’, ‘he’, ‘she’, ’it’, ‘his’ and ‘hers’. And finally they learn ‘we’, ‘they’, ‘theirs’ and ‘us’. Pronouns are difficult to learn as they change depending on who is talking. Children need to hear pronouns being used frequently and  in a variety of contexts in order to learn the correct pattern of pronoun use.

Explore the Pronouns tip sheet to learn more.

Marking tense

Children often make mistakes when it comes to marking tense. These grammatical markers tell us if something has happened in the past, is happening now, or will happen in the future.

It is normal for young children to leave off tense markers when they talk. For example “I run”, “daddy pick me up”. By the time your child is three they will start to mark tense in their speech.

Model tense markers in your own speech. “Yesterday we rode to the shops”, “tomorrow we will go to the zoo”, “the girl is riding her bike”.

If your child leaves off the tense marker, acknowledge that you understand what they have said and then say the sentence back to them in a grammatically correct way:

  • Child: “The girl ride”
  • You: “That’s right. The girl rode her bike”

This process is called recasting

Don’t ask your child to repeat you, simply try and maximise the number of times you are modelling these grammatical markers with your child.

Sequencing ideas

Sequencing is an important skill for children to learn. This enables children to recall and retell events in an ordered and coherent way.

Activities to Encourage Sequencing Skills:

  • Picture sequences
  • Reading and retelling favourite stories using props
  • Use wordless picture books to create your own story
  • Talk about favourite movies together
  • Recount the days events together, draw pictures to help your child order events

Explore the Sequencing tip sheet to learn more.

Your preschooler’s social skills are also rapidly developing and now is a great time to encourage basic social skills through play. Social skills are closely linked to a child’s language ability. Children who have more advanced language skills are able to negotiate, share, compromise and empathise with others because they know the right words to say.

It is important to have realistic expectations of your child’s social skills as these skills develop over time. For example, typically developing children only begin to play cooperatively with others at 4 years.

Activities to encourage social skills

The more practice your child has at interacting with other children the better their social skills will be. Playgroup, kindy, organising play-dates and even trips to the park will help your child learn how to interact with others. Play ideas to encourage social skills include:

  • Simple turn taking games are great to practice social skills. They require your child to follow simple rules, wait their turn and share with others. They also learn that playing with others is fun, even if they don’t win all of the time.
  • Use puppets or dolls and make up scenarios that have a social dilemma. For example, a friend not wanting to play, a child pushing another child, meeting someone new etc.
  • Read stories that contain emotive sequences. Ask your child how they think the characters feel. Ask them why they think they are feeling this way. Remember to always help your child if they can’t answer you.

Explore the Social Skills tip sheet to learn more.

Asking questions

Asking questions is not just about finding the right words but is also about the desire to know more about other people and the big wide world. Asking questions is important for:

  • understanding the world
  • taking control
  • decreasing anxiety
  • making friends

In order to help you child learn how to ask questions it is important to first emphasise that we don’t always know what another person is thinking or what is going to happen next. Try these leading statements:

  • “I wonder what …..”
  • “Do you think we should …..”
  • “Why do you think ….”
  • “I’d like to know …”

These intriguing statements are not for your child to answer, but are simply to get them thinking about the importance of asking questions. Always answer these questions for your child.

Explore the Asking Questions tip sheet to learn more.

Following instructions

When giving instructions to your child, remember the following 4 key points:

  1. Short sentences
  2. Use signs
  3. Go slow
  4. Repeat

Always help your child complete an instruction if they can’t do it on their own.

Everyday activities that involve instructions include:

  • getting dressed
  • getting ready for kinder/crèche
  • brushing teeth
  • helping to hang out the washing
  • cooking activities
  • simple games such as Beetle, Buckaroo, Pop-up Pirate or Mr Potato Head
  • hide and seek

Explore the Following Instructions tip sheet to learn more.

Encouraging independence

In the years before your child starts school it is important that you start to encourage their independence. This can include helping them learn how to open their snack box, encouraging them to find their hat when it is time to play outside, showing them how to use the toilet independently, and helping them know how to ask for help when they need adult assistance.