How to Support Your Child’s Language Development After Age 6

Language Doesn’t Stop Growing at Age 5

If your child is six, seven, or even ten years old and still struggling with language—whether it’s finding the right words, expressing emotions clearly, or understanding more complex conversations—you’re not alone. Many parents assume that language development is something that “just happens” in the toddler years, but the truth is, it continues to evolve well into adolescence and beyond.

By the time children are in elementary school, they’re expected to use language for far more than naming objects or answering simple questions. They need it to make friends, express opinions, ask for help, tell stories, and make sense of schoolwork. When something in that system isn’t clicking, it can lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and academic setbacks.

So how can you, as a loving (and probably exhausted) parent, support your child’s language development during these later but no less crucial years?

It Begins with Listening—Really Listening

One of the most meaningful yet overlooked ways to support your child’s language development is to simply make space to hear them. Not just the facts (“How was school?” “Fine”), but the feelings, details, and stories behind the surface answers.

When your child starts to share something about their day, even something as small as what happened at recess or a funny thing a classmate said, that’s a golden opportunity to dig a little deeper—gently.

Try prompts like:

• “That sounds interesting—what did you think when that happened?”
• “Tell me more about what she said—how did she say it?”
• “What would you have liked to say back?”

This kind of open-ended questioning invites your child to explore language beyond the basics. It builds vocabulary, sequencing skills, and the confidence to express ideas with nuance.

Let Storytelling Be Their Playground

Language and imagination are deeply intertwined, especially at this age. Kids who struggle to tell coherent stories or organize their thoughts might appear disinterested, but often, they just need more practice in spaces where the stakes are low and the fun is high.

Encourage storytelling outside of school assignments. Invite them to build stories during car rides, at the dinner table, or through play. If they enjoy drawing, let them create comic strips or picture sequences about made-up characters. You can even explore how roleplay and voice-changing while storytelling are actually signs of healthy expression.

And if your child loves listening as much as they love imagining, audio storytelling platforms like the LISN Kids App offer rich, age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction that models expressive, engaging language. With original audio series and audiobooks created just for kids aged 3–12, it’s a screen-free way to nourish listening comprehension, vocabulary growth, and narrative structure. You can find it on iOS and Android.

What If It’s More Than Just a Delay?

It’s okay—and responsible—to wonder whether your child’s language struggles fall outside the ‘typical’ range. Some kids have a language delay that they’ll outgrow with support. Others have underlying language disorders that benefit from professional attention, like speech therapy or adapted learning strategies. Knowing the difference can make a huge impact on how you support your child.

If you notice that your child consistently avoids speaking, seems to misunderstand a lot of what’s said to them, or has trouble expressing ideas at school and at home, it might be time to consult with a speech-language professional. Early intervention—even at age 8 or 10—can change the game.

Help Them Name Their Feelings

Being able to articulate emotions isn’t just a social skill—it’s a language skill. Helping your child build emotional vocabulary (“I’m frustrated,” “I feel left out,” “I’m really proud of that”) is one of the most underrated ways to support expressive development. When kids can't label what they feel, those feelings tend to come out sideways—as meltdowns, avoidance, or acting out.

Consider reading stories or role-playing situations with your child where they can safely practice putting words to emotions. Here is a guide to helping your child express emotions through language that offers practical and compassionate strategies.

Build Vocabulary in Context—Not Through Flashcards

At this stage, kids are learning thousands of words a year—not by memorization, but by hearing and using them in meaningful ways. Reading together, discussing current events, or simply narrating your day can nourish their vocabulary far more than traditional drilling.

Everyday situations offer rich ground for vocabulary growth: cooking (“Let’s whisk the eggs”), shopping (“That’s quite a bargain”), or noticing nature (“Look at that cluster of mushrooms”). Wondering how to get started? Here’s a collection of creative, vocabulary-building activities for 8–12 year olds that actually work.

Should You Correct Their Grammar?

This is a common worry—and the answer isn’t straightforward. Correcting overly often can make kids shut down, but letting every mistake slide isn’t helpful either.

There are gentle ways to guide your child’s grammar and sentence structure without making it a battle. Recasting—repeating what they said in the correct form, without directly pointing out the error—can be a powerful strategy. Take a moment to read more on whether and how to correct your child's speech that strikes the right balance.

Language Grows Best in Connection

Above all, remember that language development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It grows through connection—laughing over dinner, asking curious questions, listening to stories in the car, talking about feelings after a tough day. You don’t have to be a speech therapist or a language expert. Just stay present, stay curious, and create a home where words are shared freely—mistakes and all.