What strategy would best help a child with limited vocabulary develop expressive communication?

Engaging in regular conversations with a child provides the best strategy for developing expressive communication skills, particularly for those with a limited vocabulary. This method creates an interactive environment where language is dynamic and responsive. Through conversation, children are not just passive listeners; they have the opportunity to express themselves, ask questions, and practice using new words in context.

In these exchanges, children learn the nuances of language—such as sentence structure, tone, and vocabulary—by hearing how they are used in real-time. Furthermore, conversing allows for immediate feedback, where adults can model correct usage, introduce new vocabulary, and encourage the child to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This process nurtures the child’s confidence and ability to communicate effectively.

Reading books aloud, while beneficial for exposing children to new vocabulary and concepts, is generally a one-sided activity. It may not offer the same level of engagement required for the child to actively practice speaking. Encouraging writing practice is more suited for enhancing written communication skills rather than verbal ones at this stage. Using flashcards with pictures can assist with vocabulary recognition and understanding; however, it lacks the interactive component critical for expressive communication. Hence, regular conversations serve as the most effective means for fostering expressive language development in children