How to help: Encourage your child to slow down and speak clearly. If they mispronounce a word, model the correct pronunciation in a natural way—without interrupting or criticizing. For example, if they say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit,” you could respond, “Oh, yes, I see the rabbit too!” By repeating the word correctly, they’re more likely to catch on. Also, encourage them to look at your mouth when you are pronouncing a word that is tricky for them. Most children learn speech sounds by seeing how they are made rather than hearing them. Having them watch your model is a great way to bring their attention to the way they make the sound. 

Pre-Literacy Skills
Preschool is a time when children begin to learn the basics of reading and writing. A child’s ability to recognize letters, understand rhyming patterns, and identify sounds (phonological awareness) are key components of literacy development. These skills help children decode words as they begin learning to read.

How to help: Introduce your child to letters and sounds in fun, engaging ways. Use flashcards, play rhyming games, and sing songs with repetitive sounds. Use foam letters or alphabet puzzles to use play and learning. Encourage drawing and scribbling to build fine motor skills, which are also important for later writing. In my sessions, I use whipped cream and we draw letters, shapes, and numbers in the cream with our fingers or other tools. Bunus, it’s edible! I also encourage parents to use bathtime to work on letters and sounds. You have their attention and they are a captive audience so use that time to creatively work on speech sounds, letters, and rhyming words. 

Play Skills and Imagination
Preschool isn’t just about academics—it’s also a time for creative play, which supports both language development and social skills. Whether it’s playing with dolls, building blocks, or pretending to be animals, imaginative play allows children to practice using language in different contexts.

How to help: Encourage pretend play at home. Take on roles in imaginative games, narrate actions together, and let your child lead in the play. This helps them develop not only their vocabulary but also their ability to express ideas and take different perspectives. Encourage different kinds of play like independent play, parallel play and shared play. In parallel play, you play next to your child, but you are doing your own play schema. In shared play, you can use shared items such as building blocks or magnatiles. You can also work to make something together like building a tower out of blocks, or building a house out of magnatiles together by taking turns. The more well rounded your child’s play, the better they will be able to interact with their peers at home. 

Final Thoughts
While it’s easy to focus on academic readiness for preschool, speech and language development is just as important. Children who are confident in their communication skills will feel more at ease in school, form better relationships with peers, and have an easier time learning new concepts. It also enables them to succeed across all the subjects. As a speech/language therapist, I encourage parents to monitor their child’s language milestones and seek support if any concerns arise. Early intervention makes a significant difference in helping children develop the skills they need for a successful preschool experience. By fostering strong speech and language abilities, you’re giving your child a gift that will serve them well not just in preschool, but through their entire academic journey. 

Written by: Rachael Rose, Owner/Founder