Birth-preschool is the most critical period for children’s language development. Research shows that engaging young children in conversations builds their vocabulary, enhances their comprehension, and supports their future reading and writing skills.
Conversations with adults expose children to a broader vocabulary, richer sentence structures, and various linguistic cues that are essential for literacy growth. Recent studies reveal that early conversations with children, particularly children from underserved communities, can help bridge gaps in vocabulary and language processing skills that often appear by the age of three (National Center on Improving Literacy).
Intentionally having conversations during everyday routines and activities can be incredibly beneficial. For example, discussing what’s happening while preparing a meal or while taking a walk exposes children to new words and concepts. Simple interactions like narrating your actions (“I’m pouring the milk into the cups”) or asking open-ended questions (“Why do you think the squirrel ran away?”) encourage children to think, respond, and engage in meaningful dialogue (ECLKC).
Reading together provides another opportunity for having conversations with children of all ages. Describing pictures, asking questions about the story, discussing the pictures, and predicting what might happen next, support children to make connections between spoken language and print. This kind of interactive shared-reading has been shown to increase children’s contact with and understanding of the purpose of print and improve their literacy skills over time (Cambridge University Press & Assessment).
Having conversations with children also stimulates cognitive development by encouraging children to express their thoughts, make connections, and understand the world around them. These back-and-forth exchanges help children learn how to use language to describe ideas and solve problems. Furthermore, the social nature of conversations teaches turn-taking, active listening, and empathy, all of which are crucial for successful communication and literacy (ECLKC).
When having conversations with children with special needs, research suggests using clear, simple language, allowing extra time for responses, and incorporating visual aids or gestures to enhance communication (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2020). As with all strategies, individualizing communication to children’s specific needs, such as adjusting the sensory environment or offering choices, can build children’s confidence and help reduce anxiety (National Autistic Society, 2021).
Lynne Hall is a research associate at the Indiana Institute on Disability & Community’s Early Childhood Center. She holds a Master of Science in Education and an Indiana instructional teaching license (Early Childhood Education and Services; Elementary/Primary Generalist; Elementary/Intermediate Generalist). She formerly taught preschool in a variety of settings for over 15 years. Her expertise includes early literacy instruction, equity in early childhood education and inclusive classroom practices.
Email her at hallma@iu.edu
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