The Power of Oral Language: Why Parents Should Care About Their Child’s Communication Skills

As caregivers, we want what is best for our children, and this includes how they express their thoughts and ideas in the classroom, sports field, and playdates. We worry about their grades, their emotions, and how they handle social situations. No matter where they are or what they are doing, oral language, or the way children speak and understand spoken words, is the foundation of everything. The way our children develop these skills helps them with their homework, making and keeping friends, and understanding and expressing their feelings. It is important to know what oral language is, why it’s important, and how to help our children build these skills.

What is Oral Language?

Oral language is how we understand and use spoken words to share our thoughts and ideas. It involves a combination of listening (understanding) and speaking (saying words). We use sounds, words, and sentences to have conversations. These conversations include telling others our thoughts, asking questions, and sharing experiences. Listening helps our children understand what people are saying and make meaning from the discussions they have with others.

Why Is Oral Language So Important?

1. Oral language helps with reading and writing skills!

   
   

   Oral language includes the building blocks for reading and writing, and many other important skills as they grow up. Before they can read and write, they have to understand how sounds, words, and sentences work. Their reading and writing look and sound like how they speak. If they have a good understanding of how to use their oral language skills, they will be better readers and writers.

   
   

2. Oral language improves how they do in school!

   
   

   Children with strong oral language skills can share their ideas and talk with teachers and classmates better. They can explain their thoughts, ask questions, and show what they have learned in class. Good oral language skills help children learn new ideas, feel confident, and perform better on tests and class projects. Children can follow instructions, understand lessons, and have conversations about what they are learning.

   
   

3. Oral language supports social skills!

   
   

   Expressing thoughts and ideas helps children understand and talk with others, make friends, and connect with teachers and family members. Talking and listening skills let them join in on conversations, storytelling, playing games, and solving problems in group settings. They can share their ideas and listen to others’ thoughts and feelings.

   
   

4. Oral language helps with problem-solving skills! 

   
   

   Challenges come up everywhere, so children need to use their listening and speaking skills to explain their thoughts and solve problems more easily. If they are having a hard time finishing a task or facing a challenge, they can express what is hard and ask for help from a teacher, classmate, or caregiver. If they can understand or talk about their problem with others clearly, they can find a way to solve their problem more easily.  

   
   

5. Oral language prepares them for the future!

   
   

   Good oral communication abilities will help children in school, social activities, and future workplaces. They need to be able to talk to many different types of people, such as classmates, adults, teachers, and future bosses. They may have to talk and listen in group projects, present their ideas, work within a team, or show what they have learned in conversations with others. Children will be more successful when they can successfully express their ideas to others.

Next time, we will discuss how you can help develop your child's oral language skills within their everyday routines.