Helping Your Child Build Communication Skills for Kindergarten

As summer approaches, many families start thinking about the next big step…kindergarten or elementary school! For some children, it’s exciting. For others (and their parents!), it can feel a little overwhelming. A new school often means, bigger classrooms, new teachers, new routines and more independence. The good news? Communication skills can be practiced at home in simple, everyday ways. Here are a few areas to focus on as you help your child feel confident and ready.

Teaching Your Child to Ask for Help

Kindergarten classrooms are often much larger than preschool settings. Children may need to speak up in new ways, whether they need help opening lunch, tying a shoe, or understanding directions. Here are easy ways to practice:

• Practice getting attention appropriately
• Raise a hand
• Say a teacher’s name
• Use polite phrases like “Excuse me”
• Practice independence with lunch. Pack lunches at home and let your child open containers independently. Include items that require some effort to open so they can practice problem-solving. If they get stuck, encourage them to ask for help
• Practice asking unfamiliar adults for help
• At the store, park, or library, help your child practice asking simple questions like, “Where is the bathroom?” or  “Can you help me find this?”
• Wait before jumping in. Give your child a few seconds to attempt to ask for help before stepping in. If needed, gently model the words they can use: “Can you help me tie my shoe, please?”

Helping Your Child Answer Questions

Teachers ask questions all day long, to get to know students and to check understanding. Make sure your child feels comfortable answering basic information about themselves. Practice answering:

• First and last name (their legal name, even if they use a nickname)
• Grade
• Teacher’s name – You can turn this into a fun role-play at home. Pretend to be the teacher and take turns asking and answering questions.

Supporting Friendship Skills

One of the best parts of a new school year is making new friends. Social communication skills help children connect and feel included. Practice these simple skills:

• Saying “hi” to someone new
• Giving a compliment
• Asking someone’s name
• Asking simple questions (“what’s your favorite game”)

You can practice at the playground, in the neighborhood, or even during playdates. The more natural the practice is, the more confident your child will feel.

A Gentle Reminder

Every child develops at their own pace. Some children naturally speak up and make friends easily. Others need a little coaching and practice, and that’s okay. Small, consistent opportunities at home can build big confidence at school. If you have concerns about your child’s communication skills, understanding directions, answering questions, making friends, or asking for help, a speech-language pathologist can help guide you. You’re not just preparing your child academically, you’re helping them find their voice.