Many parents wonder if their child is developing age-appropriate speech and language skills. It is important to remember that every child is different; therefore, every child develops speech and language at their own rate. The following information gives some precursors to articulation and receptive / expressive language skills.
One to Two Years
- Says more words every month
- Uses some one to two-word questions (“Where kitty?” “What’s that?”)
- Puts two words together (“More cookie.” “No juice.”)
- Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words
Two to Three Years
- Has a word for almost everything
- Uses two to three words to talk about and ask for things
- Speech is understood by familiar listeners most of the time
- Often asks for or directs attention to objects by naming them
- Understands differences in meaning (“go-stop”, “in-on”)
- Follows two requests (“Get the book and put it on the table.”)
Three to Four Years
- Talks about activities at school or at friends’ homes
- People outside family usually understand child’s speech
- Uses a lot of sentences that have 4 or more words
- Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words
- Hears you when you call from another room
- Hears television or radio at the same loudness level as the other family members
- Answers simple “who,” “what,” “where,” and “why” questions
Four to Five Years
- Voice sounds clear like other children’s
- Uses sentences that give lots of details (e.g., “I like to read my books”)
- Tells stories that stick to topic
- Communicates easily with other children and adults
- Says most sounds correctly except a few like l, s, r, v, z, j, ch, sh, th
- Uses the same grammar as the rest of the family
If your child is having difficulty being understood by strangers or if you suspect that your child is not developing speech and language at a typical rate, it is imperative that you discuss your concerns with your pediatrician or contact Nancy Foreman & Associates for a FREE phone consultation or to schedule an evaluation. Our offices are conveniently located in Bellaire. We also offer excellent teletherapy services as an alternative service-delivery option. Individual and group therapy
This information has been adopted from the American Speech and Hearing Association.