Runningbrook International Preschool
San Carlos Center: Carlos Peña Otaegui 11206 (intersection La Fuente) San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes
Runningbrook International Preschool
San Carlos Center: Carlos Peña Otaegui 11206 (intersection La Fuente) San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes
May 7, 2026
From the moment your baby lets out that first cry, they are communicating with you. That cry says, "I'm here! I need you!" And as parents, we instinctively respond, beginning a dance of communication that will evolve remarkably over the next six years. Whether your little one is cooing at six months, babbling at one year, or telling you elaborate stories about imaginary friends at five, each stage of communication development is a miracle worth celebrating.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we've had the privilege of witnessing this journey with over 1,200 families from more than 35 countries since 1993. We've seen children who began with shy whispers blossom into confident communicators, and we've learned that every child has their own unique timeline and style when it comes to finding their voice.
In this article, we'll explore what you can expect at different stages of your child's communication development, share practical strategies you can implement right away, and remind you of something we believe deeply: you are the expert on your own child.
Before we dive into specific stages, it's essential to remember that children develop at different rates. The milestones we describe are general guidelines, not rigid benchmarks. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that there is a wide range of "normal" when it comes to language development, and variations are often perfectly healthy.
In the first year of life, your baby is laying the groundwork for all future communication. Here's what you might observe:
During this stage, your baby is absorbing everything—the rhythm of language, the melody of your voice, and the connection between words and actions.
This is often an exciting time as children begin using recognizable words. You might see:
In our Growing Steps and Playgroup programs at Runningbrook, we see this stage unfold beautifully as children begin naming objects in their environment and expressing their wants and needs.
Often called the "language explosion" period, these years bring remarkable growth:
In our Kid's Club program, we see children engaging in dramatic play, using language to negotiate roles, and beginning to express their feelings with words.
As children approach school age, their communication becomes increasingly sophisticated:
Our Pre-Kinder children often amaze us with their ability to communicate complex thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions about their world.
The good news is that supporting your child's communication development doesn't require special training or expensive materials. The most powerful tools are already in your home: your voice, your attention, and your everyday routines.
Research consistently shows that the quantity and quality of language children hear directly impacts their development. Talk to your child throughout the day—narrate what you're doing, describe what they're seeing, and share your thoughts.
Try this: During a diaper change or getting dressed, describe each step: "Now I'm putting on your left sock. It's blue with little stars. One foot done, one more to go!" This simple practice exposes your child to hundreds of words and phrases naturally.
For older children, engage in conversations about their day, their feelings, or their ideas. Ask open-ended questions like "What was the most fun thing you did today?" rather than questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no.
Reading aloud is one of the most powerful activities for language development. Books expose children to vocabulary they might not hear in everyday conversation and introduce them to the structure of stories.
Try this: Make reading interactive. For babies, point to pictures and name them. For toddlers, pause and let them fill in familiar words. For preschoolers, ask questions about what might happen next or how characters feel.
Don't worry about finishing every book—following your child's interest is more important than completing pages. If they want to study one picture for five minutes, let them. If they want to read the same book for the twentieth time, embrace it. Repetition builds language.
Communication is a two-way street. When your child speaks—whether through cries, babbles, or words—they need to know they're being heard.
Try this: Get down to your child's eye level when they're talking to you. Put away your phone, turn toward them, and give them your full attention. This teaches them that what they say matters and encourages them to keep communicating.
For pre-verbal babies, respond to their coos and babbles as if they're having a conversation. Pause after they "speak," respond, and then wait for their next turn. This back-and-forth pattern is the foundation of all future conversations.
When your child speaks, you can support their growth by expanding on what they say without correcting them directly.
Try this: If your toddler points to a dog and says "Doggy!" you might respond, "Yes! That's a big brown dog. The dog is running fast!" You've validated what they said and added new vocabulary and concepts.
For older children, you might extend their ideas: "You saw a butterfly at school? Tell me more! What color was it? What was it doing?" This shows interest while naturally encouraging more complex language.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is wait. Children need time to formulate their thoughts and find their words.
Try this: After asking a question, count to five in your head before jumping in. This wait time gives children the space they need to respond and teaches them that their words are worth waiting for.
At Runningbrook, we believe that exposure to multiple languages is a tremendous gift. Research in early childhood development shows that bilingual education supports cognitive flexibility, cultural awareness, and strong communication skills in all languages.
If you're raising your child in a bilingual or multilingual home, you might worry when they mix languages or seem slower to speak than monolingual peers. Rest assured: this is completely normal. Code-switching (mixing languages) is a sign of linguistic sophistication, not confusion. And while bilingual children may take slightly longer to build vocabulary in each language, they typically catch up and often surpass monolingual peers in overall linguistic ability.
In our multicultural environment, children hear and use both English and Spanish naturally throughout the day. They learn that communication takes many forms and that every language is valuable.
As a preschool that has welcomed families from more than 35 countries, we've learned that cultural factors significantly influence communication development and parenting practices. Some cultures emphasize quiet observation and respect for adults speaking; others encourage children to participate actively in adult conversations. Some families are naturally more verbal; others express love through actions rather than words.
All of these approaches can support healthy communication development. What matters most is the warmth and responsiveness of your interactions with your child. If you're meeting their emotional needs and engaging with them regularly, you're doing exactly what they need—regardless of the specific cultural practices you follow.
At Runningbrook, our child-centered, play-based approach is intentionally designed to support communication development. When children engage in play-based learning, they're naturally motivated to communicate—to negotiate roles, explain their ideas, ask questions, and express their feelings.
In our extensive indoor and outdoor play spaces, children have countless opportunities to develop language:
Our dedicated educators are trained to support communication throughout the day—asking open-ended questions, expanding on children's language, and creating an environment where every attempt to communicate is valued.
While there is wide variation in normal communication development, certain signs may warrant a conversation with your pediatrician:
If you have concerns, trust your instincts. You know your child best, and early intervention, when needed, can make a significant difference. However, remember that many children who seem behind catch up beautifully with time and support.
As you support your child's journey from cries to conversations, remember this: you are your child's first and most important teacher. The conversations you have during diaper changes, the songs you sing in the car, the stories you read before bed—all of these everyday moments are building your child's communication skills and their confidence.
There will be times when your toddler's frustration at not being understood brings tears for both of you. There will be moments when your preschooler's endless questions exhaust you. And there will be days when communication feels challenging for everyone.
But there will also be magic—the first time your baby says "mama" or "papa," the moment your toddler strings words together to tell you something important, the day your preschooler tells you a joke that actually makes you laugh.
At Runningbrook International Preschool, we're honored to walk alongside families during these precious early years. Our small group sizes ensure that every child's voice is heard, and our commitment to developing self-esteem, social confidence, creativity, independence, and curiosity means we celebrate each child's unique communication journey.
Whether your child is just beginning to coo or is already telling elaborate stories, know that you're doing important work. Keep talking, keep listening, keep reading, and keep celebrating every step forward. The conversations you're building today will last a lifetime.