Building Your Child’s Ability to Communicate: Reading

Reading is one of the most beneficial things you can do with your child. In the early months of life, your child will not understand the things you are reading to her, but she will understand many other important things from reading with you. She will understand that sitting on your lap and hearing your voice is pleasurable. She will come to understand that a person’s voice moves in a certain rhythm, and the sounds she hears repeat themselves in certain patterns. She will learn that you are interested in what is on the page for some reason, and she will eventually become interested, too.

As time moves on and you continue to read to her, she will come to recognize many words you say and relate them to her real life experiences. She will see that the pictures in the book relate to what you are saying with your mouth. She will come to understand that the marks on the page are called letters, and that when you put them in certain groups called words, they mean something. She will learn that books tell stories that are enjoyable to hear and think about. As she matures, she will come to understand that she can learn just about anything she wants to know by reading. As she hears you read and learns to read herself, she will develop a rich vocabulary which will allow her to express her feelings and ideas and send them out into the world. She will learn to speak, to write and to think from listening to you read.

Building Your Child's Ability to Communicate: Listening

Your child will be able to express all of his wonderful thoughts if you listen to him. The importance of listening to your child cannot be overstated. Seek to have your child express himself in whatever way he is capable of doing so. Encourage your child to express any apprehensions and aspirations he might have. This will yield valuable information to you as parents as well as provide a useful outlet for the child’s feelings. Perceptive parents will learn how to adjust and adapt teaching strategies from what they learn by listening to their child.


Parents should relate to their child in such a way as to provide a feeling of belonging and worthiness. This requires a great amount of loving and listening by the parents. Look at your child when he speaks to you and respond to what he says. Too often, parents provide what they believe is the “right answer” for their child without allowing the child to think creatively to solve problems or express ideas. If your child has a different idea than you, do not put him down or punish him for thinking differently. Value your child’s opinions even if they are simplistic or flawed.


Children need to be listened to with love and understanding in early childhood. Otherwise, the child will go on without gaining vital practice in thinking critically. Let him explain his ideas and his point of view. Ask questions and help him come to his own conclusions. In this way, you will teach your child to think things through for himself and gain self-esteem and confidence.