Play as Communication: How Play Shapes Behaviour and Language Development

Discover how play enhances communication and language skills, especially late talkers, by fostering expression, interaction, and emotional growth.

For children, play is more than just fun; it's a powerful tool for learning and growth, especially for those who need a little extra support with communication. Through play, children can explore both verbal and non-verbal ways to express themselves, making it an essential part of building language skills and managing behaviour. For late talkers, play offers endless opportunities to develop their communication in a natural and engaging way.

The Role of Play in Communication Development

Play creates a relaxed setting where children feel free to explore communication without pressure. It becomes a bridge between their inner thoughts and the outside world, offering ways to share ideas, express feelings, and respond to others. In these playful moments, children are learning the basics of conversation and building the foundations of language, both of which are critical for their growth.

Verbal Communication Through Play

In structured play settings, like playing with a set of toys with rules, children start learning vocabulary, sentence structure, and storytelling skills. For example, a child playing with a set of animal figures might name each animal or make sounds that relate to them. This sort of structured play helps with word recognition, sentence formation, and vocabulary expansion, encouraging children to use words to express their thoughts.

Unstructured play, on the other hand, offers even broader opportunities. With no set rules, children can create their own worlds, often narrating what they are doing. Imagine a child playing in a pretend kitchen—through their play, they’re building new words around cooking, eating, and sharing. As they make up dialogues and invent scenarios, they're learning the give-and-take nature of conversation, which is essential for real-world communication.

Non-Verbal Communication in Play

Play is equally valuable for children who may be less verbal or are still developing their speaking skills. Non-verbal communication like gestures, facial expressions, and body language plays a big part here. Even without words, children convey messages, whether it’s through a smile, pointing at a toy they want, or pushing a car down a ramp. These non-verbal forms of communication lay the groundwork for later verbal expression by teaching children the art of conveying ideas and emotions.

Additionally, children often watch and mimic others during play. This observation helps them understand the basics of interaction and prepares them for later communication with words. By taking turns, sharing, and even through gentle conflict, children learn the essential social cues that are critical for effective communication.

Structured vs. Unstructured Play: Why Both Are Important

Both structured and unstructured play have unique benefits for developing communication and managing behaviour.

Structured Play: Games with specific goals or rules, like board games or building activities, teach children to follow instructions, wait their turn, and pay attention. These structured interactions help develop patience and focus—qualities that are essential for effective communication. Structured play also encourages children to work towards a common goal, requiring them to listen, interpret, and respond.
Unstructured Play: With free play, children have the freedom to make their own rules, create scenarios, and express themselves without limitations. This flexibility lets children communicate on their own terms, which is especially helpful for late talkers, as it gives them the space to explore language naturally. They also gain confidence, learning that their ideas and feelings have value, which strengthens their willingness to engage with others.

How Play Shapes Behaviour

Beyond language, play is a powerful tool for helping children understand and manage their own behaviour. Through play, children experience a range of emotions—from excitement to frustration—and learn how to navigate them. This is particularly important for late talkers who may find it challenging to express their feelings verbally.

When a child encounters a problem during play, like a tower that keeps collapsing, they learn patience, resilience, and problem-solving. These are foundational skills for managing behaviour and building emotional intelligence. Children also learn boundaries and rules, which play a part in shaping their social interactions and behaviour as they grow.

Play-Based Strategies for Late Talkers

For parents and caregivers of late talkers, incorporating play into daily routines can be a wonderful way to support language and communication development. Here are a few strategies to try:

Follow Their Lead: Let the child decide the theme or direction of play. This approach makes them more comfortable and encourages them to share their thoughts and ideas.
Model Communication: Use simple language to describe what you’re doing during play. For example, “I’m building a house with the blocks!” This exposes the child to new words and concepts without the need for direct teaching.
Pause and Wait: Give the child time to respond. If they’re not ready to use words, encourage them with gestures or sounds to indicate what they want.
Emphasise Gestures and Expressions: Non-verbal cues are a huge part of communication. Encourage pointing, clapping, or facial expressions to express thoughts and emotions.

Embracing Play as a Path to Communication

Every child develops at their own pace, and play is a wonderful, low-pressure way to support that journey. Through play, children learn to express themselves, interact with others, and manage their emotions, all while having fun. For late talkers, these playful moments are especially important as they create opportunities to build the skills needed for confident communication.

In recognising play as a form of communication, we’re not only nurturing a child’s language development but also helping them understand themselves and the world around them. So, let’s embrace play as a powerful tool that has the potential to shape a child’s future in both language and life.