Communication is the foundation of the intentional, play-based teaching I value, because the way I speak, listen and respond shapes how deeply children think. Arthur et al. (2021) describe how open-ended questioning, modelling and sustained conversations extend children's learning, while A. Clark (2023) argues that unhurried time lets teachers truly listen to children's ideas. Non-verbal communication matters as much as words. Gesture, facial expression, visual supports and signing allow all children, including those learning English or with communication needs, to engage (Cologon & Mevawalla, 2023). My created communication toolkit brings these strategies together with a questioning that promote higher-order thinking, visual prompts, and Sunshine Sign and Sing (n.d.) resources (Figure 4). The toolkit supports me to communicate intentionally so every child can express ideas and move to more complex thinking.