Play-based learning helps children naturally build language skills. Through play, children explore and understand their environment and enjoy experiences that match their abilities and interests.  

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For toddlers and preschoolers, language instruction is most effective when it is play-based rather than drill-based. Building on the benefits of play, emphasising play over formal evaluation enables children to devote their cognitive resources to linguistic experimentation without pressure.

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Recognising further that not all children learn the same way, play-based learning allows them to select approaches that suit their personal preferences. At the same time, gently encouraging children to explore new methods can help them develop additional strengths.  

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To support these diverse preferences, the VAKT model provides a practical framework. This model identifies young children's learning styles as Visual (seeing), Auditory (hearing), Tactile (touching), and Kinaesthetic (doing and moving).  

• Visual learners thrive on demonstrations, body language, and facial expressions. Written instructions can help as they grow, especially when there’s a lot of movement.  

• Auditory learners do best in calm spaces where they can join discussions and talk through ideas. Hearing instructions often helps clarify written directions.  

• Tactile and kinesthetic learners benefit from hands-on activities like drawing, movement, or tasks that help them enjoy and remember learning.  
   

Expanding on multi-modal approaches like these, Total Physical Response (TPR) is another popular method. It teaches language by requiring physical movement in response to verbal input, directly connecting speech and action to foster vocabulary growth and lower stress. TPR is especially useful for action-based vocabulary, such as "slice some bread" or "chop an onion."