Nurturing Your Child’s Language Skills from the Very Beginning

Every child loves to explore and express themselves. Talking, asking questions, and sharing ideas are how they connect with the world. As parents, the early years are a wonderful time to help children grow their vocabulary and become confident communicators — setting them up for school, friendships, and life-long learning.

Did you know that reading to your baby every day helps build their vocabulary, sparks imagination, and strengthens the bond between you?

Why Starting Early Matters

Did you know that around 7.5% of children in the UK have difficulties with understanding or using language, called Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)? (UCL, 2024) Children with DLD are also more likely to face challenges with confidence or mental health later. That’s why exposing kids to words and conversations early really matters.

Government programs like Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) show just how important this is — thousands of children now get extra support to grow their language skills before starting school (gov.uk, 2025).

Simple Everyday Ways to Boost Vocabulary

1. Talk, Talk, Talk

• Describe what you’re doing, seeing, or feeling.

• Ask open questions: “What do you like most about this toy?”

• Talking through routines helps children learn words naturally.

2. Read Together Every Day

• Point to pictures and name objects, colors, and actions.

• Ask little questions about the story to get them thinking and responding.

• Books are a treasure trove for new words!

3. Play and Explore

• Pretend play, puzzles, and sensory activities are full of learning opportunities.

• Encourage your child to describe what they see, hear, and feel.

• Everyday objects — fruits, toys, utensils — are perfect for teaching descriptive words.

4. Repeat and Expand

• If your child says “Doggy run,” respond with “Yes, the doggy is running fast!”

• This models the right words and helps them form sentences naturally.

5. Add Visuals and Stories

• Picture boards, flashcards, or storybooks with images make learning fun.

• Visuals help children connect words to objects and actions.

• For more ideas, check out this helpful guide from Speech Blubs: Helping a Child with Speech and Language Impairment.

  

  Did you know that hearing new words daily can make your child’s vocabulary grow faster than you think?

How a First Library Can Help

Our 20-book first library set is designed to give children a variety of words, stories, and ideas. Reading just a few pages a day helps children learn new words, ask questions, and enjoy conversation. The colorful stories also make reading fun and engaging, sparking imagination while building language skills naturally.

A Few Final Thoughts

You don’t need fancy tools or complicated routines to help your child’s language grow. Every day, through talking, reading, and playing, children learn to express themselves, understand the world, and feel confident. Investing in books and creating fun learning moments at home sets the stage for a lifetime of curiosity, learning, and confidence.