One of the gifts of homeschooling is time: time to linger over a book, follow a question wherever it leads, and talk. That time is also a natural fit for building speech, language, and early literacy skills. You don't need a separate curriculum for it. Here are research-informed ways to weave language into read-alouds, lessons, and the ordinary rhythm of your day.
Why spoken language matters for reading and writing
ASHA's professional guidance explains that "spoken language provides the foundation for the development of reading and writing abilities," and that spoken and written language "are interconnected at every level."[1] It also notes that "instruction in one modality (spoken or written) can influence growth in the other modality."[1] In practice, that means the conversations you have about a science experiment or a history story are part of literacy learning, not a break from it.
Make read-alouds a conversation
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages shared reading "beginning at birth and continuing at least through kindergarten."[4] Whatever your child's age, much of the guidance focuses on how you talk together while reading.
The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), part of the U.S. Department of Education, suggests having conversations before, during, and after reading together. It explains that these conversations help children "develop higher-level thinking and language skills, such as predicting, problem solving, or contrasting."[2] Its example questions include:[2]
- For stories: "Why did the character do what he did?" "What else could she have done?" "If you were in that story, what would you have done?"
- For informational books: "Why do birds fly south for winter?" "What would happen if you planted a tree in the desert?"
The AAP adds a few simple habits: read every day, "even if only for a few minutes"; let your child choose the book, even if it's the same one again; "stop and ask about the illustrations or what your child thinks will happen next"; and read a variety of books, "including fairy tales, poetry, and nursery rhymes."[3] It also reminds parents that "reading should be fun," and that you don't have to finish a story if your child loses interest.[3]
Short sound games for pre-readers and beginning readers
For young children, a few minutes of sound play can fit between other activities. These build phonological awareness, the ability to hear and work with the sounds in spoken words.
- Count the words. The WWC suggests saying a sentence aloud and having your child count the words, using an example like "The boy ate two pieces of pizza."[2]
- Put words together and take them apart. "Straw" plus "berry" makes "strawberry"; take "cow" out of "cowboy" and you get "boy."[2]
- Find the syllables. Hold up a finger for each syllable, or place a hand under the chin and notice how many times it drops as you say a word slowly.[2] The WWC notes these are skills a child can practice "even before he or she has started reading or identifying letter sounds in words."[2]
- Rhyme and point out letters. ASHA suggests playing rhyming games and pointing out letters as you read.[5]
Weaving language into every subject
Language skills don't have to live only in "language arts." ASHA's suggestions for parents of school-age children include ideas that fit naturally into other lessons:[5]
| Homeschool moment | Language idea |
|---|---|
| Science or nature study | Talk about how things are the same and different.[5] Sort items by category and talk about which one doesn't belong, and why.[6] |
| Math or problem-solving | Talk out loud as you help your child read about and solve problems.[5] |
| History and literature | Ask what your child thinks about what they hear or read, and connect it to events in their life.[5] |
| Life skills and field trips | Have your child help plan activities, like making a shopping list.[6] Afterward, have them retell what they did.[5] |
| Spelling and word study | Point out spelling patterns, like the beginnings and endings of words such as "pre-" or "-ed."[5] |
| Writing time | Encourage your child to write letters, keep a diary, and write stories.[5] |
For younger learners, ASHA also suggests teaching new words by defining them and helping your child understand them, and playing "I Spy" by describing something you see and letting your child guess.[6]
Reading aloud together, with feedback
Once your child is reading, the National Reading Panel found that guided repeated oral reading, with guidance "from teachers, peers, or parents," had "a significant and positive impact on word recognition, fluency, and comprehension across a range of grade levels."[8] The WWC describes a few ways to practice together: take turns reading passages, read the same passage aloud at the same time, or read a passage first and then have your child read it.[2] It suggests using familiar books at the right level and reminding children that "reading fluently does not necessarily mean reading quickly."[2] For more ideas, see our home activities page and our post on speech practice at home.
How do I know if my child is on track?
Without a classroom for comparison, it can be hard to know what's typical. ASHA's kindergarten checklist lists skills most children have by the end of kindergarten, including following one to two simple directions in a row, listening to and understanding stories, retelling a story or talking about something they did, understanding that sounds make up words, and picking out words that rhyme.[7] ASHA also notes that "children develop at their own rate."[7]
Worth knowing: ASHA reports that "children with spoken language problems frequently have difficulty learning to read and write."[1] If your child has trouble being understood, following directions, telling about their day, or playing with sounds and rhymes, that's a reason to ask a professional rather than wait.
The bottom line
Homeschooling offers plenty of natural chances to build language and literacy: conversations during read-alouds, quick sound games, and talk woven into science, math, and daily life. Keep it playful and follow your child's interests. If you have questions about your child's speech, language, or early reading skills, a speech-language pathologist can help you understand where your child is and what might help, including through telehealth if that fits your family's schedule.
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Written Language Disorders (Practice Portal). ASHA.
- What Works Clearinghouse (n.d.). Tips for Supporting Reading Skills at Home. Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Early Childhood (2018). Tips to Help Your Child Enjoy Reading Aloud. HealthyChildren.org.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2024). Beyond Literacy: Shared Reading Starting at Birth Offers Lifelong Benefits. HealthyChildren.org.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Suggestions for Parents: Speech and Language Development. ASHA.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Communication Milestones: 4 to 5 Years. ASHA.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.). Your Child's Communication: Kindergarten. ASHA.
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (n.d.). Report of the National Reading Panel: Findings and Determinations of the National Reading Panel by Topic Areas. NICHD, National Institutes of Health.
Articles from Speech Me Therapy, a pediatric speech-language therapy practice in North Phoenix serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and families across Arizona by telehealth. Our posts summarize published guidance from professional and public health organizations; sources are listed at the end of every article.