Supporting your child’s play and language development can feel overwhelming, especially if your toddler or preschooler has autism. But what if you had practical, evidence-based strategies that make a difference?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 7 Proven Play & Language Strategies designed to foster communication and cooperation, plus strengthen your bond as a parent. Whether it’s during playtime, mealtime, or daily routines, these strategies are easy to implement and impactful.

Let’s dive into actionable steps that will empower you to make every interaction meaningful!

Follow Your Child’s Lead

Encouraging your child’s natural interests fosters motivation and trust.

Example: If your child loves stacking blocks, join them by stacking your own. Once they’re engaged, introduce an element of surprise, like making the blocks fall and exclaiming, “Crash!”

Try this:

• Observe your child’s play for 1-2 minutes. What toys or activities do they focus on?
• Join their activity by mimicking their actions (e.g., rolling a toy car or coloring together).
• Gradually introduce a new element to the game, such as adding sound effects, colors, or concepts like “up/down” or “big/small.”

Pro Tip: Avoid taking over their activity. Let them guide the pace and flow while you gently add opportunities for interaction.

Use Modeling and Imitation

Children learn best by watching and imitating.

Example: During snack time, hold up a cracker and say, “Crunch!” while taking a bite. Encourage your child to imitate your action.

Try this:

• Show simple actions like clapping, waving, or pointing to an object.
• If your child struggles to imitate, physically guide their hands or gestures while saying the action aloud (e.g., waving their hand and saying, “Wave hi!”).
• Celebrate their attempts, even if they’re not perfect, with enthusiastic praise like, “Great job waving!”

Pro Tip: Use everyday routines, like getting dressed or brushing teeth, to model new words and actions.

Use Visual Supports

Visual aids help make instructions clear and reduce anxiety during transitions.

Example: Create a simple picture schedule for morning activities:

1. Wake up (picture of a bed).
2. Brush teeth (picture of a toothbrush).
3. Eat breakfast (picture of food).

Try this:

• Use a choice board with pictures of activities (e.g., playing with blocks or bubbles) and ask, “What do you want?”
• Create “first-then” cards, like “First clean up, then snack,” to show what comes next.
• Pair visuals with verbal instructions to help your child make connections.

Pro Tip: Keep visuals simple and consistent. Start with one or two and add more as your child becomes familiar with them.

Expand on Your Child’s Language

Adding complexity to your child’s words helps build their vocabulary.

Example: If your child points to a ball and says, “Ball,” you can respond with, “Big red ball!”

Try this:

• Repeat your child’s words, adding one or two more. If they say, “Car,” you can say, “Fast car!”
• Use descriptive language during play, like “soft bear,” “bumpy ball,” or “cold ice.”
• Narrate daily activities with simple language. For example, during bath time, say, “Splash! Wash hands!”

Pro Tip: Match your expansions to your child’s current language level to avoid overwhelming them.

Use Choices to Encourage Communication

Offering choices motivates your child to express preferences and builds independence.

Example: At snack time, hold up an apple slice and a cracker. Ask, “Do you want apple or cracker?” Wait a few seconds to give your child an opportunity to point, gesture, or say a word before giving them the chosen snack.

Try this:

• During play, ask, “Do you want the blue block or red block?”
• Offer sensory choices like, “Do you want to play with Play-Doh or slime?”
• Reinforce their choice immediately with praise and the desired item.

Pro Tip: Start with just two options to avoid overwhelming your child.

Incorporate Repetition and Routine

Routines provide a sense of security and help children learn new skills.

Example: During bedtime, use the same song each night to signal it’s time to sleep. For example, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” as you tuck them in.

Try this:

• Use the same words and actions during daily routines, like “Brush up, brush down” while brushing teeth.
• Practice routines during playtime, like role-playing a morning routine with dolls or toys.
• Reinforce routines with visuals, like a picture schedule for bedtime steps.

Pro Tip: Be patient and celebrate small progress, even if it’s just completing one step of the routine independently.

Reinforce Positive Behavior

Praise and rewards make desired behaviors more likely to happen again.

Example: When your child uses a word to request something, respond with enthusiasm: “Great job saying, ‘More!’” and provide what they asked for.

Try this:

• Set up a reward system, like a sticker chart, to encourage specific behaviors.
• Use a mix of verbal praise, small treats, or a favorite activity as rewards.
• Be specific in your praise, such as “Great job cleaning up your toys!” instead of a general “Good job.”

Pro Tip: Pair tangible rewards (e.g., stickers or toys) with verbal praise to help your child value social reinforcement.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!

Implementing these strategies consistently can make a big difference in your child’s play and language development. Start small—choose one or two strategies that resonate with your family and build from there.

Remember, every moment is a teaching moment, and your efforts are making a meaningful impact. For more support, check out our Free Guide: The Ultimate Play & Language Booster Toolkit  to get started today!