What skills develop between 3 and 4 years of age?

These are some general abilities you should expect to see your child accomplish between 3 and 4 years old.

• Hears you when you call from another room

• Understands words for some colors, shapes, family members (aunt, grandma, etc.)

• Talks about activities from preschool or friends’ homes

• Answers simple “who,” “what,” and “where” questions

• Asks “when” and “how” questions

• Says rhyming words, like cat-hat

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

• Uses some plural words (toys, birds)

• Uses sentences with 4+ words

• Usually talks easily without repeating syllables or words

What can I do to help my child’s language skills develop and build between 3 and 4 years old?

• Expand on social communication and storytelling by participating with your child in imaginative play, role-playing, and dress-up.

• Work on comprehension by asking your child questions.

• Look at family pictures, make silly pictures with magazine cutouts, and have your child explain what is happening.

• Read books that have a simple plot, and talk about the story line with your child. Help your child retell the story or act it out with props and dress-up clothes. Tell him or her your favorite part of the story and ask for his or her favorite part.

• Sort pictures and items into categories, increase the challenge by asking your child your child to point out the item that does not belong in a category.

If you’re concerned about your child’s language or speech development, please call and set up a free consultation at (253) 237-3405. Stay tuned for our next post focusing on your littles 4-5 years old!

#Parenteducation #Developmentalnorms #Earlyintervention #Development #Language