SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 4 to 5-YEAR OLD CHILD
Between the ages of 4 and 5, children experience significant growth in their speech and language skills. During this period, they begin to use more complex sentences, expand their vocabulary, and develop a deeper understanding of how language works. Their ability to communicate effectively not only impacts their academic success but also plays a crucial role in forming social relationships and building confidence. Below we explore the key milestones in speech and language growth for children in this age group.
What speech and language development can you expect to see at this age?
- Your child understands yesterday, today and tomorrow
- Follows three-step instructions without cues
- Speech is 100% intelligible to strangers
- Your child has an expressive vocabulary of 1500-1600 words
- Tells simple stories
- Begins to understand story sequences
- Asks a lot of questions
- Uses more complex sentences
- Combines sentences using and, but, if and who
- Uses direct requests with justification (e.g. “Stop that. You’re hurting me.”)
- Uses more pronouns (e.g. herself, himself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves)
- Uses some verb endings more consistently (e.g. kicked)
- Uses auxiliary verbs (e.g. “It is big”)
- Understands the function and purpose of print (e.g. books)
- Knows some letter names
- Understands comparative adjectives, such as big, bigger, biggest
- Uses language to resolve disputes with peers
- Speaks of imaginary conditions, such as “What if…” or “I hope…”
Red Flags: When to Seek Help
If your child is showing one or more of the following signs, it might be helpful to consult a speech therapist for further evaluation:
- Has trouble speaking in full sentences
- Is hard to understand most of the time
- Struggles to follow directions and instructions
- Rarely asks questions and/or avoids speaking
- Has difficulty interacting with other children.
Next Steps: What to Do if You Have Concerns
If you notice one or more of the red flags above, consider scheduling an assessment with a speech therapist. The speech therapist can assess your child’s speech and language development. Early intervention can help your child develop the skills they need to communicate effectively.