What are the speech and language milestones for a child ages 4 to 5 years old? Below we will review the following: key vocabulary terms when discussing speech and language milestones, milestones expected in the age ranges 4-5 years, and examples or clarification for each milestone.

Key Terms:
Speech & Language Milestones: the speech, language, and hearing skills that most children (90%) will demonstrate by identified ages
Speech: how we say sounds and words - articulation, fluency, or voice
Language: the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want.
Receptive Language: the ability to understand/comprehend language (following directions, vocabulary, sentence comprehension)
Expressive Language: the ability to express self using language - by gestures, sign language, verbally, or a communication device (vocabulary, grammar)
Pragmatic Language: the use of appropriate communication in social situations
Speech and Language Milestones:Â 4-5 years old:
Understanding (Receptive Language):
Understands location words, like behind, beside, and between.
Follows simple directions and rules to play games.
Locates the front of a book and its title.
Recognizes 10 or more letters and can usually write their own name.
Imitates reading and writing from left to right.
Talking/Gestures (Expressive Language):
Produces grammatically correct sentences. Sentences are longer and more complex.
Includes main characters, settings, and words like and to connect information and ideas to tell stories.
Uses at least one irregular plural form, like feet or men.
Uses location words, like behind, beside, and between.
Uses more words for time—like yesterday and tomorrow—correctly.
Blends word parts, like cup + cake = cupcake. Identifies some rhyming words, like cat and hat.
Speech Sounds (Articulation):
Produces most consonants correctly.
Can produce /v, s, z, "sh", "ch", "j", l/.
Speech is understandable in conversation.
Check out our other parent resources and blogs about how to help enhance and grow your child's speech and language skills during these specific age ranges.
If you are concerned about your child's speech and language development - some of the next steps you can take include:
contacting your child's pediatrician (ask for a referral for a speech and language evaluation)
contacting your local regional center to see if your child could be assessed
contacting a local speech therapy private practice that specializes in early language development
Resources:
ASHA. (n.d.). Communication milestones: 4 to 5 years. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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