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Speech & Language Milestones

Speech and Language Development: Ages 3–5

Every child develops at their own pace. While milestones can vary, the following speech and language skills are commonly seen between ages 3–5 and by the end of kindergarten.

Ages 3–4 Years

Understanding and Listening

Children may:

  • Respond when called from another room

  • Listen to television or music at a comfortable family volume

  • Understand basic colour words such as red, blue, and green

  • Recognize simple shapes such as circles and squares

  • Understand family relationships such as brother, grandmother, and aunt

Talking and Expressing Ideas

Children may:

  • Talk about activities with friends or at preschool

  • Share simple stories about their day using several sentences

  • Be understood by people outside the family most of the time

  • Answer simple who, what, and where questions

  • Ask questions such as when and how

  • Recognize and say simple rhyming words

  • Use pronouns such as I, me, you, we, and they

  • Use plural words such as toys, birds, and buses

  • Speak in sentences containing four or more words

  • Speak smoothly without frequent repetition of sounds or words

Ages 4–5 Years

Understanding and Listening

Children may:

  • Understand sequencing words such as first, next, and last

  • Understand time concepts such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow

  • Follow longer directions involving multiple steps

  • Follow simple classroom instructions

  • Understand most conversations at home and school

Talking and Expressing Ideas

Children may:

  • Use most speech sounds correctly, although some sounds such as r, l, th, ch, and sh may still be developing

  • Clarify their message if someone does not understand them

  • Talk about letters, numbers, and familiar concepts

  • Use longer sentences with multiple action words

  • Tell short stories and describe events

  • Participate in conversations and take turns speaking

  • Adjust how they speak depending on the situation or listener

By the End of Kindergarten

Listening Skills

Children typically:

  • Follow one- and two-step directions

  • Understand age-appropriate stories

  • Participate in simple conversations

  • Follow classroom routines and instructions

Communication Skills

Children typically:

  • Are understood by unfamiliar listeners almost all of the time

  • Answer yes/no and open-ended questions

  • Retell stories and describe personal experiences

  • Start conversations with others

  • Participate appropriately in group discussions and social interactions

Why Early Intervention Matters

There are many reasons a child may experience speech or language difficulties. Early support can have a positive impact on a child's development and future success.

Speech and language therapy can help children:

  • Build strong communication skills

  • Improve school readiness

  • Increase confidence and self-esteem

  • Develop friendships and social connections

  • Reduce frustration and communication-related challenges

  • Reach their full potential at home, school, and in the community

Concerned About Your Child's Development?

If you have questions about your child's speech and language development, we're here to help. Contact our team to learn more about assessment and therapy services.

Creating Communicators
Speech • Occupational • Physiotherapy Services

Adapted from developmental milestones published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

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