If your child learns from young to spend a little time each night writing about the day’s activities, this helps them to use the words they have learnt as a form of reinforcement, When you go through what they have written, suggest new words each day to describe the things they are writing about, even if these are routine activities. This will develop their inner ‘thesaurus’.

5. Work with your child at the appropriate ‘level’ of language learning

The first words that a baby or very young child understands are usual nouns, because these represent objects that they can see. Even ‘Mama’ and ‘Papa’ are n nouns! Next, they will begin to understand simple verbs and objectives. Recognise which level your child is at and build on that level. If your child is just learning to speak, take a stroll with your child in the park and point out common objects such as bus, bird or tree.  If your child asks you what something means, try to give a definition AND an example, so they will know how to use the word.

6. Read to your Child

We don’t have to say this often enough! Reading with your children provides so many benefits – from introducing them to new words, developing a love of books and serving as a great method of parent-child bonding. But don’t just stop at reading TO them – have them read aloud the same pieces to you, discuss the storyline and new words encountered, and get their imagination fired up with ‘What if’ and ‘What would YOU do’ type of questions related to the story.