11/26/2025
The holiday season is filled with family, food, and special traditions—and it’s also a wonderful opportunity to support your child’s speech-language development in natural, meaningful ways. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, preparing for December holidays, or simply enjoying time together at home, everyday moments can be turned into opportunities for communication growth without adding any extra stress.
During Thanksgiving, involve your child in simple tasks like helping set the table or preparing ingredients. These routines naturally build functional vocabulary (plate, cup, stir, pour), sequencing skills (“first we mash, then we bake”), and social language (“Can you pass the…?”, “Thank you”). Talking about the foods on the table or sharing what you’re grateful for encourages expressive language, turn-taking, and descriptive skills.
As December holidays approach, there are even more chances to practice communication through traditions like decorating, gift-giving, and family gatherings. Labeling ornaments, describing lights or decorations, and following steps to wrap presents can strengthen vocabulary, comprehension, and direction-following. Social routines—greeting family, saying thank you, or asking questions—also create meaningful practice for pragmatic skills. Even reading holiday stories or talking about your family’s traditions supports narrative skills and helps children make connections between language and their world.
Most importantly, these moments don’t need to be planned or perfect. Functional communication grows best when it’s woven naturally into shared experiences. By slowing down and inviting your child into the small tasks and conversations of the season, you’re giving them rich, real-life opportunities to build confidence, connection, and communication skills—all while making memories together.