Speech Development

Below is a list of the milestones for language development

3 years old milestones

  • Correctly produces the sounds made by the letters p, b, m, w, t, d, n, g, h, y
  • Pronounces the final consonant in a word
  • Follows a two-part instruction (e.g. “Go to the kitchen and get your juice”)
  • Can participate in short conversations
  • Asks “why?” and has lots of questions
  • Is using basic grammar
  • Can make a sentence
  • Able to listen to stories

4 years old milestones

  • Has many questions
  • Uses more advanced grammar
  • Can pretend-play with other kids using words
  • Can answer questions
  • Makes friends with other kids easily
  • Talks in whole sentences
  • Answers “who”, “how”, “how many” questions
  • Tells stories you can easily follow
  • Uses language to create imaginative pretend play with others

5 years old milestones

  • Can converse and make thoughts known to you
  • Talks about anything
  • Explains how an object can be used
  • Answers ‘when’ and ‘why’ questions
  • Uses language to talk about past and future events
  • Participates in detailed conversations
  • Has little trouble thinking of what to say

Some Clues that your little one may need support from a speech therapist:

  • Not meeting the milestones mentioned above
  • Mispronouncing vowels, saying “coo” instead of “cow”
  • Talking using mostly vowels, omitting whole consonants, saying “a” for “cat”
  • Still saying single words only, and not phrases or sentences
  • Using a limited vocabulary
  • Not pointing to objects in books. If you say, “Show me the kitty cat,” he flips the page or repeats the phrase but doesn’t actually point to the animal
  • Answering a question by repeating part of your question. If you say, “Do you want a cookie?” he responds by saying, “…you want cookie?” instead of nodding his head or saying yes
  • Not following simple directions and understanding prepositions such as under, on, or over.
  • Not changing or developing his language much from month to month
  • Unable to understand what your child is saying
  • Finding it difficult to think of what to say
  • Has a hoarse voice
  • Your child’s speech is dysfluent (stuttering). For example: repetitions (eg. B-b-b-b-but not now), prolongations (eg. Mmmm-me too) & blocks (eg. R—ub it out)
  • Social skills seem different to peers: eye contact, play skills, turn taking, engaging with others, understanding vocal tone and facial expressions & knowing how to make friends.

Where to find help

If you think your child may need the help of a speech therapist, talk to his/her pediatrician and teacher. We have a well respected and effective speech therapist, Heather Dunn, who comes into school to meet with any children needing additional support in a private capacity. Jana Heath and her team also come highly recommended.

Heather Dunn
Jana Heath
Jacqueline Schoeman

Information sources