Preschoolers often go through what we call a “language explosion.” Vocabulary takes off, sentences get longer, and your child starts telling you all about their day in ways they could not just a few months ago. Here are some milestones to look for as your preschooler’s language develops.
2 Years Old
- Says 50 words or more
- Says full name on request
- Names 5 or more pictures
- Knows 6 or more body parts
- Follows two-part commands
- Uses three-word sentences
3 Years Old
- Says 300 words or more
- Says m, n, h, w, p, and b sounds in words
- Sequences a 3-picture story
- Understands some words for colors, shapes, and family members
- Asks “when” and “how” questions
- Talks about what happened during the day
- Uses 4 to 6 words in a sentence
- Strings together about 4 sentences at a time
4 Years Old
- Carries out 4-part related commands
- Says t, d, k, g, and y sounds in words
- Repeats what happened in a story
- Is understood by most people
- Understands some prepositions (above, below, in front, etc.)
- Understands some words for order (first, next, last) and time (tomorrow, today, etc.)
- Uses multi-word simple sentences
5 Years Old
- Identifies initial sounds of words
- Uses irregular plurals
- Says f, ch, and sh sounds in words
- Identifies words that rhyme
- Names parts of objects and gives the function of an object
- Retells a story and describes something they did
- Keeps a conversation going
Tips to Promote Development
Talk to your child. Studies have shown that the number of words a child hears during their early years has a significant impact on their language development. Narrating what you see while on a car ride or a walk, family dinner conversations, and reading to your child are all ways to expose your child to more language.
Expand on their sentences. When your child says a word or short phrase, help them take it a step further by using the word or phrase in a sentence. For example, if your child points and says, “Dog!” you can respond with “Yes, the dog is sleeping!” If your child is already using sentences, build on what they say with more detail.
Play language games. Games like “I Spy” are great for vocabulary and description. You can also list several words such as bus, train, apple, and car, and have your child find which one does not belong. Try naming objects that start with a certain letter. These are fun, easy activities to play in the car or while waiting at a restaurant.
Model correct sound production. If your child has difficulty saying a particular sound, emphasize the correct sound in your own speech. Rather than asking your child to repeat the word back, model it for them naturally by repeating the word slightly louder and slower so they can hear the correct sound.
Every child develops at their own pace, and these milestones are guidelines rather than deadlines. If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, our speech therapy team would love to help you figure out the next step.
