Which Pencil? Teaching Children to Communicate Clearly Through Better Clues

By Nurche Team · 31 October 2026

Imagine asking your child to bring you a pencil. They confidently say, “Give me that pencil!”

But there are two pencils on the table. Both look almost identical.

You ask, “Which one?”

Your child pauses. Perhaps they repeat, “That one!”

This everyday moment offers a wonderful opportunity to teach an important life skill: clear communication.

Children often know what they want to say, but expressing it in a way others can understand takes practice. And that's exactly where a simple activity can make a difference.

Communication Is More Than Just Talking

Being a good communicator isn't only about speaking more words. It's about helping another person understand what we mean.

Children need opportunities to practise:

- Describing objects using useful details.
- Choosing the right words to explain what they want.
- Adding information when someone doesn't understand.
- Listening to questions and responding thoughtfully.

For example, instead of saying, “Give me the pencil,” a child can learn to say, “I want the pencil with the pink eraser.”

That small addition makes the message much clearer.

You only need two pencils with different-coloured erasers.

Here's how to play:

1. Place both pencils in front of your child.
2. Ask your child to request one pencil without pointing.
3. If the request is unclear, pretend you don't know which one they mean.
4. Ask, "Which pencil exactly?"
5. Encourage your child to add another clue, such as its colour, length or eraser.

Celebrate when your child finds a better way to explain!

Parent tip: Don't immediately give the answer or correct your child's words. Give them a moment to think and try again.

A child who learns to explain what they mean is also learning to solve small communication problems independently.

At Nurche, we practise these everyday moments through structured, age-specific activities that help children develop essential life skills.

Because communication isn't just about knowing words. It's about knowing how to use them when they matter.

Give your child opportunities to think, express, explain and try again.

Explore Nurche Life Skills and book a free demo session.