The preschool years, from ages 3 to 5, are vital for your child’s hearing and communication growth. It’s important to monitor their progress to ensure they are developing properly and to catch any issues early on. In this blog, we will explore key signs of healthy communication development for children in this age group. By recognizing and understanding these milestones, you can better support your child’s journey and address any concerns promptly.
Early identification allows for appropriate intervention and support. This resource, based on advice from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), offers a checklist to help you monitor your child’s development and ensure they are meeting critical milestones.
3 to 4 Years (Yes/No?)
- Hears you when you call from another room: Does your child respond to your voice from a distance?
- Hears the television or radio at the same sound level as other family members: Do they hear the TV or radio at normal volumes?
- Answers simple “Who?” “What?” “Where?” and “Why?” questions: Can they answer basic questions?
- Talks about activities at daycare, preschool, or friends’ homes: Do they share stories about their day?
- Uses sentences with four or more words: Are they speaking in longer sentences?
- Speaks easily without having to repeat syllables or words: Is their speech fluent and smooth?
4 to 5 Years (Yes/ No)
- Pays attention to a short story and answers simple questions about it: Can your child focus on and discuss a story?
- Hears and understands most of what is said at home and in school: Do they comprehend conversations around them?
- Uses sentences that give many details: Are their sentences descriptive?
- Tells stories that stay on topic: Can they tell coherent stories?
- Communicates easily with other children and adults: Is their communication effective and easy?
- Says most sounds correctly except for a few (l, s, r, v, z, ch, sh, and th): Are most of their sounds pronounced correctly?
- Uses rhyming words: Do they enjoy and use rhymes?
- Names some letters and numbers: Can they identify letters and numbers?
- Uses adult grammar: Is their grammar similar to that of adults?
By keeping track of your child’s hearing and communication milestones from ages 3 to 5, you can ensure they are on the right path for healthy development. Early identification of any issues allows for timely intervention and support, setting the stage for your child’s continued growth and success. Use this checklist as a valuable tool to monitor their progress and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if you have any concerns!
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Developmental milestones handouts. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. https://www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/handouts/
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-EMILY SMITH, Illinois State University, Senior Research and Marketing Intern
-NICOLE BUTLER, M.A., CCC-SLP/L (ASHA Certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Founder and Executive Director of Speech Within Reach.)
SPEECH WITHIN REACH provides in person and virtual telehealth speech therapy for children and adults. We are happy to support your speech therapy needs. Please feel free to reach out to us.