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Development of Oral Language At Home Is The Key To Reading
Did you know that the development of oral language is the most important skill for helping your child become a confident reader? Oral language lays the foundation not just for decoding but also for comprehending text.
As an EBLI-certified reading tutor, I’ve seen firsthand how vital oral language skills are in reading and spelling.
I’ve also experienced it as a parent. My own daughter had trouble learning to read, and now I realize that although her habit of mixing up syllables in words was adorable, it was an early sign of future challenges.
In this post, I’ll share why oral language matters so much and simple ways you can nurture it at home. Dive in to help your child thrive and enjoy the journey to becoming a strong reader.
What Is Oral Language And How Is Oral Language Acquired?
Oral language is the foundation of communication. It’s the ability to listen, speak, and understand spoken words, encompassing both receptive and expressive language. These critical cognitive skills begin developing at birth (and before), long before children even utter their first words.
It all starts with babbling. Babies experiment with sounds, then progress to forming words, learning vocabulary, and eventually building sentences. All the while, their brains are like sponges, soaking up every word, tone, and pattern they hear.
What’s fascinating is that the brain is hard-wired for spoken language. At birth, a child’s brain is primed to learn any language in the world. However, as they grow and are consistently exposed to their mother tongue, their brain focuses more narrowly on the sounds and patterns of that language.
This is why consistent exposure to new vocabulary is so important. The more words children hear in context, the richer their understanding and ability to express themselves will become.
Nurturing oral language from the start gives your child a head start in reading, writing, and lifelong communication skills.
The Importance Of Oral Language for Reading and Writing
Oral language skills are essential for developing phonological awareness and phonemic awareness—two critical building blocks of reading and writing.
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and work with sounds in spoken language, while phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds, or phonemes.
These skills allow children to flex and manipulate sounds, which is necessary for cracking The Alphabetic Code and using phonics to decode words.
But oral language and reading aren’t just about decoding. Rich experiences with vocabulary and oral communication lay the groundwork for the higher comprehension skills needed to truly understand what you read.
The more familiar a child is with words, sentence structures, and how language works, the more prepared they’ll be to tackle reading and writing tasks.
Whether your child is a native speaker or a language learner, strong oral language skills provide the foundation for decoding and comprehension.
In fact, as cognitive scientist Dr. Mark Seidenberg points out in this video, a child’s ability to learn to read often depends on the oral language experiences they’ve had before formal reading instruction begins.
Exposure to a wide range of vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and meaningful conversations helps children build a strong foundation for Reading Readiness.
Simply put, oral language is the bridge between learning to read and becoming a fluent reader who can comprehend and engage with the text. By focusing on oral language development early on, you’re setting your child up for success not only in reading but in lifelong learning.
The Parent’s Role in Oral Language Development
As a parent, you are your child’s first—and most important—teacher. Long before they enter a classroom, your interactions lay the foundation for their language skills and, ultimately, their ability to read and write.
In fact, You Are Your Child’s First Teacher, is one of the first parenting books I read when I had my first baby. I am glad I discovered this when I did so that I started off on the right path.
The way you speak, the environment you create, and the opportunities you provide all shape your child’s oral language development. Every conversation, every story, and every moment of connection is helping them learn how language works and how to use it effectively.
By modeling quality speech and creating a nurturing space for communication, you show your child that their voice matters. Your encouragement and support give them the confidence to explore language, ask questions, and grow.
For families where English is not the first language, integrating English language conversations into everyday routines can support bilingual development and literacy.
Parents play a unique and irreplaceable role in their child’s language journey. Through your example and the bond you share, you set the stage for their future success in reading, writing, and beyond.
Ways To Promote Language Development at Home
Fostering oral language at home doesn’t have to be complicated—it’s about weaving language into your everyday interactions in meaningful ways. Here are some practical tips and examples to get you started:
1. Engage in Daily Conversations
Make time to talk with your child every day. Whether it’s during meals, car rides, or bedtime, ask them about their day, their thoughts, or their favorite activities. Simple conversations build connection and language skills.
2. Narrate Everyday Activities
As you go about your day, describe what you’re doing. For example, while cooking, you might say, “I’m chopping the carrots into little pieces for the soup.” This exposes your child to new vocabulary and helps them understand how language connects to real-life actions.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Encourage your child to think and express themselves by asking questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead of asking, “Did you like the story?” try, “What was your favorite part of the story, and why?”
4. Read Aloud and Discuss Stories
Reading aloud, at all ages, is one of the most powerful ways to develop oral language. Choose books with rich vocabulary and engaging stories. Pause to discuss the characters, plot, or unfamiliar words. “Why do you think the character felt that way?” or “What do you think will happen next?”
5. Talk, Talk, Talk
The more your child hears language, the more they’ll absorb it. Use every opportunity to chat, whether you’re at the grocery store, walking the dog, or waiting in line.
6. Expand and Enrich Vocabulary
Build on your child’s words to expand their vocabulary. If they say, “It’s hot,” you might respond with, “Yes, the hot chocolate is scalding. I burned my tongue on it.” This teaches them new words in context and shows them how to use descriptive language.
7. Show a Love of Language
Make language fun! Play word games, sing songs, tell jokes, or make up silly rhymes. Your enthusiasm for language will be contagious and inspire your child to engage with words in new ways.
8. Respond to Communication Attempts
Always respond to your child’s attempts to communicate, whether it’s babbling, a single word, or a full sentence. Show them that their efforts to use language are valued and meaningful.
9. Introduce academic vocabulary
Use specific terms related to school subjects, like science or math, and explain them in simple, engaging ways.
By incorporating these simple strategies into your daily routines, you’ll be creating a language-rich environment that supports your child’s oral language development—and sets the stage for future success in reading, writing, and beyond.
Activities to Build Oral Language Skills
Engaging activities can make building oral language skills enjoyable for both you and your child. Here are some fun and effective ways to incorporate language-building into your daily routine:
1. Oral Storytelling
Encourage your child to tell stories, whether real or imagined. You can start by sharing a story yourself and then invite them to add their own twist or create a new tale.
My children used to beg to hear the next episode of “The Two Kids” every night, an ongoing story I invented of two kids having magical adventures.
My favorite storytelling activity, however, was memorizing classic fairy tales and telling them to my children. Memorizing stories is so worth it because storytelling builds vocabulary, sentence structure, and sequencing skills for both the parent and the child.
2. Role-Playing and Dramatic Play
Let your child take the lead in imaginative play. Whether they’re a chef, a doctor, or a superhero, role-playing helps them experiment with language, practice conversational skills, and explore new vocabulary in a fun, hands-on way.
Create areas in your house that foster dramatic play. For example, set up a play kitchen area near your actual kitchen. Your children want to be near you and will imitate your language. Provide an area with fabrics and dress-ups for unlimited imaginative play.
3. Singing Songs and Nursery Rhymes
Songs and rhymes are great for developing reading readiness through rhythm, rhyme awareness, and memory. Sing favorites like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or make up your own songs about daily activities.
4. Finger Games
Classics like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Where Is Thumbkin?” combine movement with language, helping children connect actions to words while building fine motor skills.
5. Playing Word Games
Games like “I Spy,” 20 Questions, or rhyming challenges make language practice interactive and exciting. These games also teach children how to listen, think critically, and respond verbally.
6. Introducing New Vocabulary in Context
Whenever you encounter something new, use it as an opportunity to introduce new words. For example, if you’re visiting the zoo, talk about the “majestic giraffe” or the “playful otters.” Provide context to make the new vocabulary stick.
These activities not only build your child’s oral language skills but also strengthen your bond as you explore language together. The key is to keep it fun, interactive, and engaging so your child sees language as something exciting and meaningful.
Development of Oral Language and Kindergarten Readiness
When children enter kindergarten, they bring with them a wide range of background knowledge and oral language abilities. Some may already be telling detailed stories, while others are just starting to form complete sentences.
Wherever your child falls on this spectrum, providing rich oral language experiences at home can set them up for success.
Strong oral language skills are essential for kindergarten readiness. These include:
- Understanding and following directions
- Expressing thoughts and needs clearly
- Listening and responding to questions
- Recognizing and playing with sounds in words
- Using a growing vocabulary to describe objects, actions, and events
A child’s vocabulary knowledge significantly impacts their ability to comprehend stories and express ideas clearly in school.
These foundational skills help children navigate the classroom environment and prepare them for literacy instruction.
Signs Your Child Is Ready for Literacy Development
If your child demonstrates the following, they’re on their way to being ready for reading and writing:
- They can speak in complete sentences and carry on a conversation.
- They show curiosity about books, letters, or words.
- They enjoy rhymes, songs, or wordplay.
- They can identify and manipulate sounds in simple words, like clapping out syllables.
- They can listen to and comprehend short stories or instructions.
By nurturing these skills before kindergarten, you’re giving your child a head start on literacy development—and helping them feel confident and prepared for the exciting journey ahead.
How to Assess Oral Language at Home
Assessing your child’s oral language skills doesn’t require fancy tools or formal tests. By observing their daily interactions and tracking milestones, you can get a good sense of their language development.
Easy Ways to Observe and Track Language Development
- Listen to Their Conversations
Pay attention to how your child speaks. Are they forming complete sentences? Do they use a variety of words? Can they clearly express their thoughts and needs? - Engage Them in Storytelling
Ask your child to retell a story or share an experience. Look for details, sentence structure, and how well they organize their thoughts. - Play Word and Sound Games
Games like rhyming challenges, “I Spy,” or identifying beginning sounds in words can reveal how well your child hears and manipulates language sounds. - Read Together
Notice if your child engages with books by asking questions, making predictions, or talking about the pictures and story. - Observe Listening Skills
Can your child follow multi-step directions? This shows they can understand and process spoken language.
When to Seek Help
It’s normal for children to develop at different rates, but some signs may indicate it’s time to consult a professional:
- Difficulty following simple directions.
- Limited vocabulary for their age.
- Struggling to form sentences or express thoughts clearly.
- Trouble understanding or responding to questions.
- Speech that is difficult for others to understand by age 4.
If you’re concerned, reach out to your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can make a significant difference and ensure your child is on the path to successful communication and literacy.
Oral Language and the Reading-Writing Connection
Strong oral language abilities are the foundation for phonics, comprehension, and expressive writing. While the brain is naturally wired for speaking and listening, writing systems are a human invention. Learning to read and write requires explicit, systematic instruction to bridge the gap between spoken language and the written word.
Through this instruction, children’s brains develop the ability to recognize words instantly—connecting their spelling, pronunciation, and meaning. This remarkable process is known as orthographic mapping. It’s how skilled readers can look at a word and immediately know what it says and what it means, without needing to sound it out.
Dr. Carolyn Stromm has created a story and a diagram of the neural circuitry involved in orthographic mapping. You can listen to her explain this fascinating process on the Reading Roadtrip podcast and how all brains learn the same way but some, like those with dyslexia, need more repetitions.
The key to successful orthographic mapping is a strong base of oral language. Research shows when children have a rich vocabulary and a deep understanding of language, they can map words faster and more effectively. For example, a child who knows the word “elephant” and its meaning will find it much easier to recognize and learn its written form.
By building oral language early, you’re giving your child the tools they need to not only decode words but also understand and express themselves through writing. This connection between speaking, reading, and writing creates a strong foundation for lifelong literacy and learning.
The Teacher’s Role in Literacy Development
Teachers play a critical role in building on the oral language foundation you’ve established at home. Once children enter school, teachers hopefully provide the explicit instruction and structured learning environments needed to transition oral language skills into reading and writing proficiency.
In the classroom, teachers introduce phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies, helping children make connections between spoken and written language.
Teachers often use small group instruction to target specific oral language skills, ensuring each child gets personalized support.
They also expose students to diverse texts, fostering critical thinking and a deeper understanding of language.
By creating a rich literacy environment, teachers guide children toward mastering the skills they need to become fluent readers and confident writers.
Partnering with Teachers
As a parent, you’re an invaluable partner in your child’s literacy journey. Open communication with your child’s teacher is key. Share what you’ve been working on at home, ask for feedback, and discuss your child’s progress.
Here’s how you can collaborate effectively:
- Attend parent-teacher conferences and stay informed about classroom goals.
- Ask for specific ways to reinforce school learning at home.
- Share insights about your child’s strengths and challenges with language.
When parents and teachers work together, children benefit from a seamless support system. By staying connected and aligned, you can help ensure your child grows into a skilled, confident reader and writer.
It’s Never Too Late
Oral language is the foundation of reading and writing, starting at birth and continuing through rich experiences at home, school, and beyond. By engaging in daily conversations, reading aloud, and providing opportunities for language exploration, you can set your child up for lifelong success.
Even if challenges arise, it’s never too late to strengthen your child’s oral language skills. Every effort you make helps build the foundation they need to improve their reading and writing abilities.
At TeacherJustine, EBLI tutoring incorporates oral language development into every activity, giving your child the support they need to thrive.
Ready to take the next step? Sign up for a Free Reading Tutoring Assessment today!
