Language development might not be the only determining factor in whether your child is ready for preschool, but it’s certainly important. The strength of your child’s communication abilities before starting school can be an indicator of academic and social success later on. We’d like to explore some ways you can prepare your child for the classroom by encouraging them in this area.

Help your toddler’s vocabulary grow.

As your child’s third birthday nears, make sure you keep reading to them, pointing out new words, and labelling objects in their environment. Expressing through speech is as important as understanding, so remember to praise your child when they explain an idea or say a new word correctly. Make a game of using new words in different sentences to help your toddler remember them and their context.

Encourage them to say what they think and how they feel.

It will benefit your child’s overall health if they can articulate their thoughts and feelings to you in detail, especially when they are unhappy. Starting school is a major change in anyone’s life, and communicating effectively with you, their classmates, and their teacher will help them integrate. Model this behaviour in conversation with them. Tell them stories about your day and encourage them to repeat them. Answer their questions with interest, and be patient when they try to express themselves.

Demonstrate good language skills.

You are your child’s favourite person, and they are watching and learning from your language skills. Speak to them in clear, simple sentences. Vary your word choice regularly to help them learn new vocabulary. Don’t speak in baby talk or overly simplified language.

Let them be social butterflies.

School is a social place at any age, and providing your child with opportunities to socialise before they begin can be helpful for their language. Set playdates or have them attend music classes. There may be special events for toddlers at your local library. Such events allow them to practice and be praised for behaving and communicating well.

Have them learn independently.

As your child reaches preschool age, try to instill the self-confidence that will allow them to thrive away from home. Let them explore new environments (while keeping a safe eye on them), make mistakes, and attempt things on their own. Encourage them to be curious and ask questions politely. Surround them with books and educational toys that allow them to be creative and imaginative.

Monitor Development.

Keep track of their progress by keeping a language journal. Fill this with notes on your child’s vocabulary and grammar skills. This could help you identify signs of potential speech delays and difficulties you should address. It may just wind up being a nice keepsake of the toddler years that you can look back on if your child is at school and you’re feeling a little wistful.

What do I need to know about preparing my toddler for preschool and beyond?

From Unii’s Toddler Speech Journey, we share how to prepare your child for preschool.