LANGUAGE DELAYS & DISORDERS

Disclaimer: I’ve incorporated and edited content pulled directly from the ASHA (American Speech-Hearing Association). My goal is to give parents a resource to use as a guide to determine if their child’s speech development is standard, or if they might need to consider hiring a Speech Therapist. Please visit this link for more detailed information.

2-3 years of age:

  • Understands simple opposite concepts such as go–stop, big–little, and up–down.

  • Follows 2-part directions, like "Get the cup and put it on the table."

  • Learns new words/vocabulary 

  • Has a word or word approximation for many items

  • Talks about things that are not in sight

  • Uses k, g, f, t, d, and n in words.

  • Uses words like in, on, and under.

  • Uses 2 or 3 words to talk about and ask for things.

  • People who know your child can understand them.

  • Asks “Why" Questions

  • Puts 3 words together to talk about things. May repeat some words and sounds.

3-4 years:

  • Responds when you are not in sight (such as in another room)

  • Understands some colors, like red, blue, and green.

  • Understands some shapes, like circle and square.

  • Understands words for family members, like brother, grandmother, aunt

  • Answers simple "Who", "What", and "Where" questions.

  • Uses pronouns: I, you, me, we, and they.

  • Uses some plural words such as toys, cars, dogs

  • Most people understand what your child says.

  • Asks "When" and "How" questions

  • Puts 4 words together but may make some grammatical mistakes, like “I goed to school.”

  • Talks about what happened during the day. Uses approximately 4 sentences at a time.

4-5 years:

  • Understands concepts like first, next, and last.

  • Understands words for time such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

  • Follows 3-step directions directions, like “Put your pajamas on, brush your teeth, and then pick out a book.”

  • Can follow classroom directions, like “Draw a circle on your paper around something you eat.”

  • Understands most of what they hear at home and in school.

Disclaimer: The communication milestones included in ASHA's "How Does Your Child Hear and Talk" products are currently being revised and will be published in 2023. Changes include (a) shorter timeframes and (b) evidence regarding the percentage of children demonstrating specific milestones.