Language Development and Play
Language Development and Play:
A Guide for Parents
At Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies, we know how important communication is for your child’s development. Language isn’t just about talking—it’s about understanding and expressing thoughts, ideas, and emotions. From birth, children begin absorbing language, and as they grow, they refine these skills through interactions with their surroundings.
The Connection Between Play and Language Development
Play is more than just fun—it’s a fundamental way children learn and develop language. Through play, kids explore their world, engage with others, and build critical social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills. When children play, they naturally expand their vocabulary, practice communication, and learn essential social skills like turn-taking and problem-solving.
A play-based therapy approach takes advantage of this natural learning process by integrating language development into everyday interactions. Whether it’s pretend play, building with blocks, or interactive games, play helps children express themselves, improve comprehension, and gain confidence in communication.
Explore Related Therapies
Speak With a Therapist
Signs and Symptoms of a Language Disorder
Every child develops at their own pace, but certain signs may indicate a language delay or disorder. Recognizing these early can lead to timely intervention and better outcomes.
Delayed Speech Development
Little to no babbling by 6 months
Few words used between 12-18 months
Not combining words by age 2-3
Receptive Language Difficulties (Understanding & Processing)
Trouble following directions
Difficulty understanding questions
Challenges identifying common objects
Struggles with basic concepts like big/little, on/off
Difficulty grasping figurative language
Expressive Language Difficulties (Non-verbal, Verbal, & Alternative Communication)
Limited vocabulary
Relying on gestures instead of words
Difficulty asking or answering questions
Speaking in incomplete or disorganized sentences
Trouble with conversational skills (e.g., staying on topic, turn-taking)
Difficulty retelling stories
Incorrect verb tense usage
Struggles with reading comprehension
Signs of Difficulty with Play Skills
Play and language development go hand in hand, so difficulties with play can sometimes signal challenges in communication. Some signs that a child may struggle with play skills include:
Avoiding or withdrawing from peer activities
Difficulty engaging in pretend play or using imagination
Struggles with cooperative or turn-taking games
If your child finds it hard to engage in play, they may also have trouble developing social and language skills.
Diagnosing a Language Disorder
If you’re concerned about your child’s language development, our team at Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies is here to help. Our evaluation process starts with an Initial Phone Intake which gives us the opportunity to gather background information, your child’s developmental history, and hear about your concerns. At that time, we will also schedule a comprehensive evaluation with one of our speech-language pathologists. Tailored to your child’s needs, this evaluation may include standardized testing, informal observations, monitoring interactions with the therapist, and parental input.
Our goal is to gain a full picture of your child’s communication skills so we can provide the best possible support.
Our Therapeutic Approach and Techniques
At Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies, we believe in making learning engaging and meaningful. We use a variety of evidence-based approaches to help children build strong communication skills. One of our key approaches is the DIR Floortime Method, which is a child-led, interactive approach that fosters natural communication development. We also implement Play-Based Therapy, using play as a primary tool to encourage language growth in a natural and fun way.
We work closely with parents and caregivers, offering Parent and Caregiver Training to equip families with effective strategies to promote language development at home. Additionally, we use Social Stories—structured narratives designed to teach children communication and social skills in a clear and engaging manner.
For children who need alternative ways to communicate, we incorporate Sign Language and AAC (Alternative Augmentative Communication), which may include communication devices or picture-based systems. Our therapists also use the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to provide visual supports that help children express their needs and thoughts.
A Collaborative Approach is central to our therapy, ensuring that we work with parents, educators, and other therapists to support a child’s communication development holistically. For children who develop language in larger chunks rather than individual words, we utilize Gestalt Language Processing, and we also implement Natural Language Acquisition techniques to help children develop structured communication skills.
How Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies Can Help
We are passionate about helping children develop the communication skills they need to thrive. Our play-centered, research-backed therapy approach ensures that learning is engaging, meaningful, and tailored to each child’s unique needs.
If you’re concerned about your child’s language development or play skills, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s work together to help your child find their voice!