In previous posts, the benefits of parental familiarity with a growing child’s hearing, speech, and language development were discussed, specifically as guidelines for pediatricians and other health and education professionals with which to monitor the child’s progress or delay, and offer help if necessary. This final post in a three-part series will cover the basic benchmarks of communication for preschool-age children.
While the acquisition of speech, hearing, and language skills in children is most active when the brain is rapidly maturing from birth to three years old, preschool abilities build upon this growth in preparation for further socialization and learning. Here are just a few of the fourth- and fifth-year milestones:
Age 3 to 4 Years
- Answers simple “W” (Who, What, Where, and Why) questions
- Talks about his or her daily routines and events experienced at preschool or friends’ homes
- Uses phrases/sentences with four or more words
- Speaks easily without repeating sounds or words
- Hears you when you call from another room
- Hears the television at the same loudness level as other family members
Age 4 to 5 Years
- Uses sentences that give many details, and is able to tell stories that stay on topic
- Communicates easily with other children and adults
- Says most sounds correctly, except for a few (l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th)
- Uses adult grammar (subject-verb-object)
- Pays attention to a short story and answers simple questions about it
- Hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school
If you or your child’s teacher have any concerns about your child’s hearing, speech, or language development, you should speak to your youngster’s pediatrician, who may refer you to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). The SLP will first speak to you about your child’s overall social activities and specific verbal and gestural behaviors, and then can suggest different listening and speaking activities to help your child further develop his or her communication skills.
For More Information
For more information, you may visit the following websites. In addition, the Mount Sinai Health System provides speech-language pathology services at multiple hospital locations.
- The National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- NYC Department of Education/Office of Early Childhood Education
To find an excellent doctor who is right for you, please call our Physician Referral Service at 866.804.1007.