Why Pre-Linguistic Skills Are the Key to Early Communication Success

Hey there, SLP friends! 👋🏼

When it comes to communication, we often jump straight to words. But here’s the truth: before kids can use words in a functional way, there’s a whole set of pre-linguistic skills they need to master first.

These skills are the building blocks of communication. Without them, it’s like trying to build a house without a foundation—it won’t hold up for long. Whether you’re working with typically developing children, kids with language delays, or those with more complex communication needs, pre-linguistic skills are where we need to start.

What Are Pre-Linguistic Skills?

Pre-linguistic skills are the nonverbal communication abilities that pave the way for spoken language. They give kids the tools they need to connect, interact, and make meaning before they ever say their first word.

Here are the essential pre-linguistic skills every child needs:

• Reacting to the Environment – noticing sights, sounds, and changes around them.

• Reacting to People – responding to facial expressions, voices, and social cues.

• Turn Taking – learning the back-and-forth rhythm of communication.

• Attention to Task – focusing long enough to engage in an activity.

• Joint Attention – sharing focus on an object or event with another person.

• Functional Play – exploring toys or objects in purposeful ways.

• Receptive Language – understanding words, gestures, or directions.

• Vocalizing with Intent – using sounds to communicate wants or needs.

• Imitating Gestures – copying actions like waving, clapping, or pointing.

These skills work together to create a strong communication foundation. Once they’re in place, verbal imitation and word production come more naturally—and with less frustration for the child.

Why These Skills Matter

If we push too quickly toward words without building pre-linguistic skills first, kids can feel overwhelmed or shut down. When we take the time to strengthen these early abilities, we’re setting them up for long-term communication success.

Think about it this way: a child who can’t yet take turns in a game may struggle to take turns in conversation. Or a child who doesn’t share attention may find it hard to follow directions later. By targeting these underlying skills first, we’re addressing the root of communication—not just the surface.

Practical Tips for Building Pre-Linguistic Skills

The good news? These skills can be woven naturally into play and daily routines. A few quick examples:

• Play peek-a-boo to encourage turn-taking and reacting to people.

• Point out interesting sights on a walk to build joint attention.

• Use cause-and-effect toys to encourage functional play and attention to task.

• Model gestures often and celebrate when kids imitate them.

The goal is to keep it fun, simple, and consistent. Small moments add up!

A Resource for Parents and Caregivers

If you want an easy way to explain these building blocks to families, I’ve created a parent-friendly handout that walks through each pre-linguistic skill in simple, approachable language. It’s available inside my Early Intervention Home Carryover Pack, which is packed with practical tools and strategies for supporting communication.

>> GRAB IT HERE <<

Pre-linguistic skills aren’t just a “step” before words—they’re the foundation that makes functional communication possible. By starting here, we help kids feel successful, reduce frustration, and set the stage for stronger language growth.

Happy speeching!

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