Supporting Social Communication Skills at Home: Practical Strategies

Social communication, or pragmatics, refers to the ways we use language to interact with others. The Hands & Voices parent tip sheet explains that pragmatic language includes the ability to state needs, give commands and express feelings. Children need pragmatic skills to develop relationships and navigate their social environments. Difficulties in pragmatics can be particularly challenging for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, but any child may struggle with aspects like turn‑taking, topic maintenance or adapting language for different listeners.

Parents can nurture social communication skills through everyday interactions. Provide daily opportunities for your child to state their needs and make choices. Instead of anticipating every request, wait for your child to ask. If they point or grunt, model the language: “You want the blue cup?” and pause for them to imitate. Encourage your child to give commands during play (“Push the train!”) to practise imperative language.

Modelling and fostering language is essential. Narrate your own actions (“I’m pouring juice into your cup”) and describe what your child is doing (“You’re building a tall tower”). Use rich vocabulary and varied sentence structures to expand their language. Role‑play different scenarios, such as ordering food at a restaurant or visiting a doctor. Practise greeting people, making small talk and saying goodbye.

Teach your child the difference between talking to peers and adults. When speaking to a friend, the tone may be casual and the sentences shorter. Talking to a teacher might involve more formal phrases like “Excuse me” and “Could you help me?” Practising these differences helps children navigate social hierarchies.

Ask open‑ended questions to stimulate conversation. Questions starting with “what,” “who,” “where,” “why” and “how” encourage children to think and respond in complete sentences. Be patient and give them time to organise their thoughts. Avoid correcting every mistake; instead, repeat their sentence back correctly.

Following your child’s lead in conversation builds confidence. If they bring up a favourite topic, engage enthusiastically. Use turn‑taking games like rolling a ball back and forth or taking turns adding blocks to a tower to teach reciprocity. Reading picture books together provides opportunities to discuss characters’ emotions and predict what might happen next.

Children learn social language by watching others. Model empathetic listening by nodding, making eye contact and commenting on what others say. Encourage siblings and friends to practise polite language and sharing ideas. Praise your child’s efforts to communicate, no matter how small, to reinforce positive interactions.

If your child struggles with social communication, a speech‑language pathologist can provide targeted support through social skills groups or individual therapy. Early support can make a significant difference in a child’s ability to make friends and participate in school and community activities.