Much of a child’s ability to communicate and speak is learnt through interaction with caregivers. The quantity and quality of language input from caregivers is important.

Researchers found five parenting behaviours that predicted future achievement in children, namely, (1) using rich vocabulary when speaking with children, (2) using words to respond to children’s behaviour, (3) using verbal guidance to encourage development, (4) putting emphasis on language for communicating, and (5) being responsive to children’s emerging attempts to communicate.

A study showed that parents should be encouraged to provide language input to their children through reading or storytelling as well as engage their children in two-way conversations.