Second Grade | Language Skills
How are my child’s speaking and conversation abilities?
2nd grade is the bridge to becoming an “upper” elementary student. You’ll find that conversing with your child feels more like a friendly conversation. You will be able to listen to observations about friends, life and school, and in turn share your thoughts. This transition might leave you feeling that your “baby” is now indeed a maturing, intelligent older child.
- Your 2nd grader speaks clearly and is easily understood. They may make an effort to find just the right way to describe what they’re thinking.
- They enjoy learning what words mean and their vocabulary is exploding with new terms.
- They can follow three- and four-step directions.
- They make eye contact and stay on topic when talking to others.
- They can participate in discussions and answer questions.
- They can speak in complete sentences.
How Can I Help My 2nd Grader Improve Their Speaking Abilities?
Read Everyday
Reading aloud to your child and having them reading books on their own is the best way to increase their vocabulary. Books provide words they won’t encounter in everyday conversations, because the language of books often is more complete and formal than just talking. A great story also provides context and illustrations to help with learning a new word.
Read to Others
Reading a book to a younger sibling or neighbor lets your child practice their fluency skills and reading aloud in a relaxed way. They’ll also get to feel good that someone else is benefiting from their reading.
Have Them Practice a Joke
Telling a joke requires high-level communication skills, like focusing on timing and their expression, making them aware of how they speak and how others hear them.
Be a Role Model with Verbal Skills
Become aware of how YOU speak. Do you only give one word answers? Do you explain how you feel in ways that are clear? Make your thinking “visible;” model how you make decisions.
“I knew it was going to be really hot today because it felt so warm early in the morning. By the time the sun is directly above us, it’ll be scorching. This is why I parked under a tree. I didn’t want the inside of our car to get that hot, so I parked in the shade and I’ll leave the windows cracked to let cooler air flow in.”
Use Rich Language
Become aware of the words you select when talking with your child. Often parents simplify how they speak hoping it will help their child more easily understand what they mean. Instead, aim to use “rich vocabulary,” interesting words and phrases and bold descriptive words. Give your child every advantage by being intentionally specific with the words you choose. Your effort will expand their world of knowledge.
Instead of: “Did you see that big dog?”
Try: “Did you see that gigantic gray dog sprinting across the street?”
A child’s vocabulary is mostly made up from the exact words their parents use at home. “New research suggests we may be wildly underestimating their brainpower. Children whose parents used complex language were found to have significantly higher IQs (a formidable 40 points) than children whose parents did not — suggesting that young brains become wired early for complex thought.” GreatSchools.com “Surprising Secrets to School Success, 2018
Take Turns When Talking
Ask your child questions about what they’re interested in, their friends, their favorite characters from TV shows, and their favorite books. Make eye contact and listen closely as they speak. Take turns when talking with them. As parents, we sometimes can get in a habit of giving instruction but not engaging in conversation with our kids. Having meaningful discussions at home helps children develop their vocabulary by allowing them to incorporate the new words they have learned into their conversations.
Instead of “How was school?”, try these questions to get your child talking:
- Tell me something that made you giggle today.
- If you could sit next to anyone in class, who would you sit next to? Why?
- What did you play at recess?
- What do you wish you could do all day long at school?
- If you could make the cafeteria food, what would you serve?
WATCH
Frequently asked questions about 2nd grade language development
At this age, occasionally saying verbs incorrectly in the past tense is normal. Words like “swimmed” for “swam” might need to be pointed out. If your child stumbles on these words, have them slow down and repeat the sentence back to you using the correct word.
If you are concerned your child has a speech problem, set up an appointment with your pediatrician. Make a list of your concerns or examples of issues you’ve observed in your child. Describe the issues you observe so the pediatrician can get a full picture of your child’s difficulties. They will help evaluate your child and recommend further screening and tests your child might benefit from.
Next, set up an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher and describe your concerns. Teachers are usually in charge of over 20 children, so subtle language differences among children may not stand out clearly. By voicing your concerns, the teacher can tune in to your child and make note of speech issues observed during class time, while offering more support to your child.
As a parent, it is your right to request a speech evaluation through your public school at any time.
