SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
MILESTONES
Typical Speech and Language Development
SOUND ACQUISITION
Generally, children should make the following sounds correctly by the ages indicated:
AGE:
3-4 years-- m, b, n, t, p, d, k, g, w, h, and vowels
5-6 years-- sh, ch, l, l-blends
7 years-- v, j, th, s, z, r, s-blends, r-blends
VOCABULARY AND SENTENCES
AGE:
12-18 months-- first words
2 years --2-word sentences
3 years-- 3-4 word sentences 200-900 words
4 years-- 5-6 word sentences 900-2500 words
After age 5, the child rapidly advances. The child understands many more words than he can say.
These are general guidelines. Children will vary.
FLUENCY:
Hesitations in speech are normal from ages 3-6 years. Listen to your child, encourage and praise him. Don't correct him or appear anxious about his speech. Don't make him speak or recite before strangers or visitors. Let him do so if he wishes, but only then. Try to keep your own speech clear and unhurried. If you are very concerned, consult a speech and language pathologist for help.
Generally, children should make the following sounds correctly by the ages indicated:
AGE:
3-4 years-- m, b, n, t, p, d, k, g, w, h, and vowels
5-6 years-- sh, ch, l, l-blends
7 years-- v, j, th, s, z, r, s-blends, r-blends
VOCABULARY AND SENTENCES
AGE:
12-18 months-- first words
2 years --2-word sentences
3 years-- 3-4 word sentences 200-900 words
4 years-- 5-6 word sentences 900-2500 words
After age 5, the child rapidly advances. The child understands many more words than he can say.
These are general guidelines. Children will vary.
FLUENCY:
Hesitations in speech are normal from ages 3-6 years. Listen to your child, encourage and praise him. Don't correct him or appear anxious about his speech. Don't make him speak or recite before strangers or visitors. Let him do so if he wishes, but only then. Try to keep your own speech clear and unhurried. If you are very concerned, consult a speech and language pathologist for help.