Although it might feel natural to ask your child questions, they might not always have the words to answer. Describing what your child is doing is a great way to help them understand how the words they hear are linked to their actions.
Watch the video below to see how dad describes and names everything he and his daughter do together as he prepares a snack.
How asking fewer questions and describing actions helps children to learn
It helps them to:
- Enjoy chatting without the pressure of lots of questions
- Link your words to their actions and learn new words more quickly
- Learn the language they need to talk about what they’re doing
One of the easiest things you can do to help develop your child’s language is to narrate your day together.
Talking about and describing the things you are doing can help your child connect the words with objects and actions. You're showing and giving them the words they need to know, rather than asking them questions that they might not have the words to answer.
Focus on activities that they enjoy and you can do together. This will help your little one to engage and listen more.
