Early development of oral language skills for young children is not only one of the most critical skills needed for learning to read, but it is also a strong predictor of future success in reading. Additionally, research supports the notion that the effect of solid oral language has a positive impact on comprehension of text. Furthermore, children who begin school with solid vocabulary skills from being exposed at home to a language-rich environment tend to gain the benefit of acquiring new vocabulary, better comprehension, and an understanding of language, all skills that set them up for future reading (Bradfield et al., 2014).

Providing opportunities for rich language experiences for young children is one of the most effective things families can do in the home to build oral language skills. Though this can be done through everyday conversations, I have listed five activities I use with very young children to encourage oral language.

1) Use Pictures for Oral Storytelling

Cards pictured below are from reallygoodstuff.com

For this activity, I use a deck of picture cards, but pictures from magazines, found online, or family pictures work as well.

Choose 1-3 images with objects, animals, people, etc.
Begin by having a conversation about the pictures. What is in the picture(s), what do you notice, and what questions do you have?
Next, guide the child to create a story based on the chosen images.
These stories are oral and structured to have a beginning, middle, and end.
Model and encourage the use of descriptive language.
Model and encourage the use of complete sentences.
Ask questions that help the child to extend their ideas.

Additional ideas and extension activities:

Write out or type up the stories as the child dictates them.
Keep a collection of these stories to revisit and read together.
The parent/caregiver can show the pictures to younger children and tell them stories using rich language and expression.

2) Vocabulary, Storytelling, Predictions and Inferences through Picture Books.

Choose picture books with engaging illustrations that lend themselves to labeling objects, storytelling, making observations, and inferences.

For younger children and babies, look at the pictures together and talk about what you see.
Point at and verbally label objects. Talk about what the objects are and how they are used. If the book has a picture of a school bus, point to it and tell children what it is, what it is used for, etc. Give a few examples for each object.
Model and guide the child to predict what might be happening in the pictures.
Ask questions about the pictures. What do you see/notice? Why do you think the character is smiling or crying? What do you think is going to happen? Why?
Model thinking aloud and making inferences about the pictures. Give the child an opportunity to do the same. "This character looks happy. When people are happy about something, they usually have a big smile. I notice that this character has a big smile, which I think means they are happy. When I am happy, I smile. What do you do when you are happy? I wonder what they are happy about? What do you think?
Model using descriptive language. Talk about the illustrations' colors, sizes, and shapes of objects. Incorporate synonyms for common words. If the child knows what big means, try using large, huge, or gigantic while explaining that those words are another way to say big.
Take babies and young children to the library to explore books and participate in story time events.

3) Dramatic/Pretend Play

Dramatic, imaginative, pretend play? Whatever you choose to call it, kids love to use their imagination during play. All of the activities listed below present excellent opportunities for rich conversations and the use of language that develops necessary pre-reading oral language skills.

Incorporate puppets into your pretend play sessions. There are many simple puppets you can make at home with minimal materials.
Role play different scenarios such as going grocery shopping, teacher and student,
Create stories and scenarios using stuffed animals or dolls.
Use toys to initiate pretend play with children.
Provide play dough, blocks, and toy food items for play.
Provide costumes or clothing items/accessories such as scarves, hats, and other props.

4) Narrating Daily Activities

Narrating daily activities to young children, including babies, is one of the best ways to begin providing a language-rich environment that promotes speaking and listening development in the early years.

Using descriptive language, talk to young children about what you are doing.
Give children opportunities to describe the events in their lives.
Model using descriptive language by narrating the activities your child is involved in. "I see you are playing with your red truck." I notice you are lining your cars up next to each other."
Go on walks and describe what you are seeing. Point out any animals you see and explain what they are doing. Talk about the cars you see. Talk about the workers you see and what they do: deliver mail, collect garbage, etc.
Ask your child questions about what they are doing. Encourage and model answering questions using complete sentences. Adult: "What are you doing?" Child: "Playing." Adult: "What are you playing with, your blue bear and red blocks?"

5) Provide a Home Musical Environment

Singing songs and sharing poems is a fun and engaging way to build language.

Use musical instruments or household items to have a jam session.
Play songs and music for your young child beginning in infancy.
Learn kid-friendly songs and poems to sing and recite together.
Read and recite nursery rhymes.
Provide daily musical experiences for your baby and young children.

For more information on promoting pre-reading oral language skills, check out this video here.
Also, download my Early Literacy Handbook here.

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