During the preschool years, children develop at a rapid rate; constantly learning about and exploring the world around them. Their minds are like sponges, absorbing information and language skills at an astonishing rate. Whilst we as parents and caregivers often marvel at the wonderful new skills our children can do, it is crucial to be vigilant about potential delays that could hinder their development.

First, let’s talk about what language skills children around 3-4 years of age old, will usually have or be able to do:

Vocabulary and sentences

• have a large vocabulary
• use four-to-five-word sentences and beginning to join sentences using ‘because’ and ‘if’
• use a variety of names for actions, locations and descriptions
• ask ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘where’ questions
• name basic emotions such as ‘happy’, ‘sad’ and ‘angry’
  
  

Understanding and following instructions

• understand simple two step instructions – for example, ‘get your bag and put your shoes on’
• understand wh – questions (‘what’, ‘where’ and ‘who’)
• sort items into categories such as ‘vegetables’ or ‘farm animals’
• understand the concept of same and different

Play and social communication

• tell a recount of an event
• use language during role play, to be the ‘teacher’ or ‘mummy’
• beginning to reason and negotiate with other children
  
  
  

🚩 Red flags that may indicate language delays in preschool-aged children 🚩

Early intervention is key to addressing language delays before your child commences school. You might have noticed your child is struggling with one of the areas listed above or you may have the following concerns that your child:

• is mispronouncing sounds and is often hard to understand when they’re talking to you, family or friends
• has stopped using a language skill they once had
• has limited use of gestures and nonverbal communication to help them express themselves
• or your child is frustrated that they are struggling to communicate

If you are worried about your child’s language development, it’s a good idea to see your child’s health nurse, GP or Paediatrician. Remember each child is unique and developmental milestones can vary, but staying attuned to potential language delays can make a significant difference in a child’s overall well-being.