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Wednesday 22 January 2025

5 Ways to Foster Language Skills in Your Preschooler

By Lisa Gill

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Language development is crucial in the early years, and fostering strong communication skills will set your preschooler on the right path for both academic and social success. At Maltman’s Green, we believe in encouraging parents to create enriching environments at home, just as we do in our early years classrooms, to support this critical stage in your child’s development. Engaging your preschooler in interactive, everyday activities can boost their vocabulary and enhance their speaking abilities while keeping things fun. 

Here are five effective ways to nurture your preschooler’s language development: 

  1. Daily Reading Sessions: Reading together remains one of the best ways to introduce new vocabulary and ideas. Choose books with varied themes and levels of complexity. Don’t just read the words aloud—pause to ask questions, point to pictures, and encourage your child to share their thoughts. This interactive approach helps them to form connections and better retain new words. 
  2. Talk Through Everyday Tasks: Turn daily activities into language-learning moments. Whether you’re cooking dinner or getting dressed, narrate the process. Simple phrases like “We’re putting on your blue socks now” introduce new vocabulary while keeping your child engaged. 
  3. Open-Ended Conversations: Encourage your preschooler to express themselves by asking open-ended questions. Questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How does that make you feel?” promote critical thinking and longer conversations, which build language skills.
  4. Songs and Nursery Rhymes: Singing simple songs and nursery rhymes reinforces word patterns and pronunciation in a fun way. Repetition and rhythm are great tools for enhancing memory and helping your child build a rich vocabulary. 
  5. Limit Screen Time: While educational content can be helpful, the best way for children to develop language skills is through face-to-face interaction. Focus on engaging activities that encourage conversation, rather than passive consumption of digital content.

At Maltman’s Green, we place a strong emphasis on language development through a variety of activities, ensuring all girls receive the support they need to flourish. Not only do we offer an excellent unique curriculum for language development, our facilities in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire are unmatched for pre-schoolers including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an outdoor woodland area and two climbing frames offering physical challenges and exploration that support both physical development and teamwork in their early years. 

Visit us on an open day in 2025 at our independent school in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire to learn more about how we can foster early communication skills for your girl or subscribe to the Maltman’s Baby Hub for regular tips and updates. 

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