S.T.A.R. Music
Child
Mom and Childstarcounting
SHINE

Your Child's Communication

As a certified speech-language pathologist, I am often asked by parents to listen to their children speak.  They want to know if their children are developing speech and language at an appropriate rate.  While every child acquires speech and language at his/her own rate, there are various milestones that are typically reached at certain ages.  

The following information is given to serve as a general guideline regarding speech and language development.  If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s speech and language development, or about a child having difficulty being understood by people outside your family, please speak with a speech-language pathologist at S.T.A.R. Music.

1-2 Years

  • Says more words every month
  • Uses some 1-2 word questions (“Where kitty?”)
  • Puts 2 words together (“More cookie,” “No Juice”)
  • Uses many different consonants at beginning of words

2-3 Years

  • Has a word for almost everything
  • Uses 2-3 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
  • Follows 2-part requests (“Get the book and put it on the table.”)

3-4 Years

  • Talks about activities at school or at a friend’s home
  • 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
  • Answers simple “who,” “what,” “where,” and “why”questions

4-5 Years

  • Voice sounds clear like other children’s
  • Uses sentences that give plenty of detail
  • Tells stories that stick to topic
  • Communicates easily with other children and adults
  • Says most sounds correctly
  • Uses the same grammar as the rest of the family

Adapted from the ASHA guidelines

 

Back to top