Definition: Communication skills are the developing abilities children use to receive, understand, express, and exchange information, ideas, feelings, and needs with other people.
Communication can involve spoken language, listening, gestures, facial expressions, signs, pictures, body language, and other appropriate communication systems.
Why Communication Skills Matter in Childcare
Communication is fundamental to learning and relationships. Children use communication to ask for help, participate in play, understand directions, tell stories, express emotions, negotiate with peers, and share discoveries.
Childcare providers can encourage communication through responsive conversation, reading aloud, songs, storytelling, questions, and opportunities for children to express themselves.
Example in a Childcare Setting
During block play, one child tells another, “We need another long block here.” The second child responds by finding one. The children are using receptive and expressive communication to coordinate their activity.
Related Terms
Language development, expressive language, receptive language, social development, cooperative play, and peer interaction.
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