Information for Parents

Oral Language

Here are a list of the top tips for parents for developing oral language with your child.
(Information supplied by the PDST)
Infants - 1st Class
  • Listen to what your child is saying /trying to say and respond to contributions
  • Make and maintain eye contact while talking with your child
  • Explain the meaning of words
  • Talk through activities
  • Talk through everyday experiences
  • Involve your child in discussions / plans
  • Ask / Answer questions
  • Teach your child nursery rhymes / songs / poems/ raps
  • Develop your child’s receptive language by asking him/her to follow simple instructions
  • Assist your child to express ideas in an orderly fluent way
  • Read to your child each night
2nd - 4th Class
  • Set aside 10-15 minutes to discuss the day’s happenings
  • Encourage your child to express and justify opinions
  • Involve your child in adult conversation when appropriate
  • Talk about the child’s favourite T.V programme
  • Play language games which focus on words i.e. Scrabble, crosswords
  • Encourage your child to talk about experiences with a wide range of people; peers, relations, other adults
  • Listen carefully and clarify meaning ‘Do you mean /or is this what you mean?’
  • Encourage your child to give reasons for decisions
  • Encourage your child to listen courteously to the opinions of others
  • Talk about school topics and assignments 
5th -6th Class
  • Encourage your child to develop a positive attitude to speaking / listening
  • Discuss your child’s school work successes/concerns/interests.
  • Respect your child’s opinions and feelings
  • Involve your child in adult conversations, when appropriate
  • Help your child to extend his range of words in specialised subjects
  • Encourage your child to listen and respond courteously to others.
  • Watch and discuss T.V. news / current affairs programmes together
  • Assist your child to locate information in local library, internet
  • Talk about school topics and assignments
  • Play commercial games that focus on word building