Wh-questions (what, where, who, why and when) are essential in speech development because they help children learn to understand and use language more effectively. By asking and answering Wh-questions, children develop their communication skills and expand their vocabulary, as well as their ability to process and comprehend information. If you are new to WH questions, please read the blog to understand the basics of WH questions. You can also find free WH question exercises in pdf format.

Here are some of the ways in which Wh-questions are important in speech development:

1. Understanding language: By asking and answering Wh-questions, children learn to understand the meaning of words and phrases, as well as how to put them together to form sentences.
   
2. Expanding vocabulary: Wh-questions help children learn new words and phrases, as they are exposed to a wide range of topics and concepts through the questions asked.
   
3. Developing critical thinking skills: Wh-questions encourage children to think critically and problem-solve, as they need to process and analyze information to provide accurate and relevant responses.
   
4. Building social skills: Asking and answering Wh-questions helps children develop social skills, such as turn-taking, active listening, and understanding social norms of conversation.
   
5. Enhancing communication skills: Wh-questions help children learn to express their thoughts and ideas more clearly and effectively and also enable them to ask for clarification when they don’t understand something. Read the blog to know more about how to use WH questions for effective communication.

Wh-questions play an essential role in speech development, helping children learn to understand and use language more effectively, while also developing critical thinking, social, and communication skills.

Purchase the Let US Talk book to stimulate speech in early childhood. It is an interactive picture book with large printed lists of WH questions- What, Where, Who, Why, and When, to be asked by a parent/guardian. Available in paperback and e-book formats.