The Foundation for a Meaningful Life
Kindergarten - Grade 9 in Southborough, MA
K-9 Learning

4 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Communication Skills

4 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Communication Skills

Families maintain a hectic pace. With the 24/7 demands of an always-on professional world and the pressure of staying on top of school work, sports, and evening activities, it’s easy for the communication between parent and child to turn into a series of commands and responses. “Finish your homework! Grab your hockey bag!” However, it’s important to remember that we lay the foundation for our children’s communication and social skills early on.

Young children benefit greatly from early conversation, interactive reading, and even a running commentary on daily tasks like making dinner to build their vocabulary and communication skills. At Fay, we reinforce these early lessons by greeting our preschool and Primary School students by name at the door each morning. Students shake the Head of Primary School's hand, look her directly in the eyes and say, “Good morning, Mrs. Knuppel!” It may sound simple, but those daily habits build confidence as well as strong communication and social skills that will serve children well for years to come. Here are some suggestions for building early social and communication skills at home.

Have lots of conversations.

Italian educators describe the give and take of a conversation as a ball being thrown back and forth between two people. Just like throwing and catching, children need to learn how to have a conversation by practicing. A child who can have a fluid conversation is a child who can tell a story--and that is the beginning of writing.

Ask “What if” questions.

Open-ended questions that require thought and that act as a starting point for discussions are a great way to engage your child in thoughtful conversation. Why do you think the snow sticks to the ground? Why do you think that activity is challenging for you? You’ll be amazed what you learn.

Help your child build a strong vocabulary.

Don’t water down your vocabulary too much when you talk to children. A robust active vocabulary is a wonderful gift for a child, and the more words they have in their word bank when they start school, the better.

Read every chance you get.

Preschoolers and older children love to curl up with you and read. Stop every now and then and ask them to predict what will happen next. This encourages children to be active listeners and good communicators as they make connections between the story and their own lives.

Remember to make time in your day to enjoy the precious - and often priceless - experience of sharing a conversation with your child.

About Fay School

Fay School was founded in 1866 and is the oldest junior boarding school in the United States. Our 66-acre campus is located in Southborough, MA, just 25 miles from Boston. Our community includes 475 students in kindergarten through grade nine and includes 150 boarders in grades 7-9  from across the United States and over 25 countries. Fay is recognized around the world for its superior educational program, and our graduates are accepted to top secondary schools. Fay's program empowers students to discover their talents, develop their intellectual abilities, establish essential academic skills and knowledge, and define their moral character - all essential to living a life of meaning and making a positive difference in the world.

Learn more about Fay School.

48 MAIN STREET
SOUTHBOROUGH, MA 01772
main number 508-490-8250
admission 508-490-8201