What are preschool language disorders? Children learn language at their own rate, some speak later than others. It is important to know the milestones and what to expect for each age range.
Language includes understanding, speaking, writing, and reading. Everything necessary to communicate successfully.
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old who have a difficult time talking, understanding, following instructions, and responding to questions, may have a language disorder. This can lead to listening and attention difficulties and behavioral issues.
If a child has a difficult time understanding, this is considered receptive language. Preschool children should be able to answer simple questions about themselves, enjoy stories, and understand what is being said to them.
A child with a receptive language disorder may have a difficult time understanding, including:
Comprehending simple gestures
Identifying pictures or objects
Follow instructions
Answering questions
Following directions
Listening to stories
Taking turns when talking with others
A child with expressive language disorder may have issues talking, including:
Asking questions
Putting words together to form a sentence
Naming objects
Knowing how to start a conversation and keep it going
Using correct pronouns, “she”, “he”, or “they”
Learning rhymes and songs
Language milestones for a 3 year old
Says about 1,000 words
Uses “wh”questions
Speaks in three word sentences
Points to objects described
Language milestones for a 4 year old
Follows 2 step directions easily
Uses 4 words in a sentence
Plays cooperatively
Take turns
If your child has difficulties with language or understanding words, it’s important take action. Partnering with a speech language therapist can make all the difference in your child’s life.
If you aren’t sure if your child is on track with their language development, contact First Words Therapy for an evaluation. We are dedicated to providing personalized care to meet your child’s needs.
