Building Communication Skills through Play

Play is more than just fun — it’s a powerful and natural way for children to learn, connect and communicate.

At Nurture and Build, we believe that play is one of the most effective tools for supporting the development of communication skills in young children. Whether it’s through gestures, sounds, words or shared moments, play offers endless opportunities to build connection and confidence.

Why Play Matters for Communication

From peekaboo with a baby to imaginative role-play in kindergarten, play is where children practise and experiment with language, expression and social interaction — often without even realising they’re learning.

Play supports communication by:

• Encouraging turn-taking and joint attention

• Providing motivation to use words or gestures

• Teaching cause and effect

• Supporting understanding of social rules (like waiting, listening, and responding)

• Building vocabulary and sentence structure in a meaningful context

When a child is engaged and having fun, their brain is more open to learning — especially when supported by a responsive adult.

Types of Play That Support Communication

1. Functional Play (Exploring Objects)

• Examples: Banging blocks, pushing a car, splashing in water

• Builds early cause-and-effect understanding

• Great for introducing core vocabulary like go, stop, more, wet

2. Pretend Play

• Examples: Feeding a doll, playing shops, superhero games

• Encourages narrative skills, expressive language, and problem-solving

• Supports understanding of sequencing, roles, and storytelling

3. Sensory Play

• Examples: Sand, water, playdough, messy play

• Can be calming and highly engaging, reducing pressure to “perform” verbally

• Encourages labelling of sensations, feelings and actions (e.g., squishy, cold, soft)

4. Turn-Taking Games

• Examples: Rolling a ball back and forth, “ready-set-go” games

• Builds early social communication skills like waiting, sharing attention, and responding to cues

• Sets the foundation for conversational turn-taking later on

  
  

Simple Ways to Build Communication Through Play

You don’t need fancy toys or formal activities to support your child’s communication. Here are a few simple strategies that make a big difference:

💬 Follow Their Lead

Watch what your child is interested in and join in. This shows them you value their ideas and helps you model language that’s meaningful to them.

💡 Model, Don’t Quiz

Rather than asking lots of questions (“What colour is that?”), try commenting instead (“Wow, you made a tall tower!”). This keeps the interaction relaxed and gives your child space to respond if they want to.

⏸️ Pause and Wait

Leave space in the conversation or play for your child to take a turn — even if it’s just a look, gesture or sound. This teaches the rhythm of communication.

🧸 Use Repetition and Routines

Repeating familiar games and phrases builds confidence and understanding. Simple, predictable language like “Ready… set… GO!” is powerful.

🤗 Celebrate All Communication

Whether your child is using signs, sounds, gestures or words, respond with interest and warmth. All communication counts.

The Role of a Play-Based Therapist

In our work at Nurture and Build, we use play-based therapy to:

• Build connection and engagement

• Create meaningful language opportunities

• Support early social and communication goals

• Help parents and caregivers feel confident in using everyday play to boost communication

We work alongside families to find playful routines that suit your child’s strengths, sensory preferences and learning style.

💛 Communication Grows in Connection

You don’t need to “teach” your child to talk in a traditional way — you just need to play, connect, and respond.The magic happens in those shared giggles, back-and-forth games, and moments of joy.

At Nurture and Build, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Want to learn more about building communication skills through play?

Get in touch to find out how our early intervention and play-based sessions can help your child grow their communication in a way that feels natural, safe, and fun.