The Developing Mind of a Child – How is your child doing?
A child’s performance in language usage, motor ability and cognitive capability explodes between ages two years to six years. Although the child continues to grow and learn after this age, there will never be a more dramatic change again in his development that can match the magnitude or speed of learning that takes place during these four years.
But these rapid changes are what make younger children “environmental sponges,” soaking in every detail of their world and swelling with new experiences that define who they are and who they will become. By understanding what skills develop an when they come into being, you as a parent can incorporate appropriate themes, ideas and stories into your everyday activities with you children.
Ages two years to three years old
Language Development
The child has become and observer of their external world. They begin to use language as a way of talking about real happenings. They speak using three-to-four-word combinations in their speech but they understand much longer sentences. They can judge the difference between polite voice and not polite voice and begin to role play others around them, like pretending to be the mommy. They sing simple songs and nursery rhymes, understand funny actions and phrases, enjoy listening to a short story and know concepts of basic categorization, such as ‘animals,’ foods’ or ‘toys.’
They can answer simple questions that begin with ‘who, where, what, and why.’
Vocabulary
They comprehend 500 words by two and half years and use about 200 intelligible words. This increases to understanding 900 words by three years and to using 500 words.
Age three years through four years old
Language Development
They begin to use language as a way of talking about real happenings. They speak using 4-5 words in sentences with more complex syntax. They understand comparison words like, ‘bigger, longer, and colder’. They like to complete sentences such as, “For breakfast I eat ______.” They can answer Who, Why, Where, and What questions, and they begin asking their own using mainly, “What and Who”.
Vocabulary
They comprehend up to 1500-2000 words by age four and use 1000-1500 to express themselves.
Ages four to five years old
Language Development
The child has become a more active participant in their external world by engaging in longer conversations. They continue to use language when talking about the happenings of their day but they use descriptive words and details now. They speak using sentences with a length of twelve to thirteen syllables combined. They relate fanciful stories to others and play more involved roles, like pretending to be a doctor or dentist or fireman. When they tell stories they mix real events with unreal happenings. Humor develops further and they learn to tease others in a non-cruel way, such as hiding an object behind their back and saying, “It’s lost.” They enjoy listening to longer stories with illustrations and can discuss they story. Their ability to categorize has increased to understand more involved categories such as “fruit, vegetables, breakfast foods, or things that go.” They can answer “How much?”, “What if?”, “How Far?”, and “How long?” questions.
Vocabulary
They comprehend 2500 words by four and a half years old and use about 1500-2000 intelligible words in their spoken vocabulary. This number increases to understanding 2800 words by age five and speaking 2200.
Ages five to six years old
Language Development
At this age no baby talk is present, though they still love to pretend to be babies. They speak using sentences with a length of thirteen to fifteen syllables. They can use compound sentences with more than one main clause. They can name items by two classifications characteristics, for example, “What is red and we eat it?” They can complete basic analogies, “A cat is a pet, a cow is a _____?” They enjoy word play and silly sentences or funny stories. They like making up words and have fun with rhyming words. They can sing whole songs by memorization. They can state why objects are the same or different and can play games like, “I spy” or other describing games. Their speech should be 90% intelligible with only a few sounds that are difficult to pronounce, like /r/, /th/ and /l/. They can tell events of past and future experiences in sequential order. They can explain why one object does not fit with four others and put four pictures in proper sequence.
Vocabulary
They comprehend 13,000 words by age six and use about 6000-7000 words in their spoken vocabulary. Their speech is almost adult-like in structure and semantics of the words and grammar they use.
Suggestions to improve a child’s speech and language skills:
Talk with your child frequently
Read a variety of books; read often and talk with your child about the story
Help your child focus on sound patterns of words such as those found in rhyming games
Have your child retell stories and talk about events of the day
Talk with your child during daily activities; give directions for your child to follow (e.g. making cookies)
Talk about how things are alike and different
Give your child reasons and opportunities to write
Continue to encourage reading; find reading material that is of interest to your child
Encourage your child to form opinions about what he or she hears or reads and relate what is read to experiences
Help your child make connections between what is read and heard at school, at home, and in other daily activities