Language Development in Four & Five Year Olds
As young children develop language skills, a whole new world of communication and self-expression opens up to them. Although each child develops at a different pace, many 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds are starting to understand and use language at a more sophisticated level. By encouraging communication, you can become an active part of the language development process.
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Average Language Development in 4-Year-Olds
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By the age of 4, most children are able to speak fluently enough to effectively communicate with people outside the family and hold short conversations with strangers. The average child speaks in full sentences, able to correctly string together four words or more. Most 4-year-olds still struggle with the finer points of grammar; for example, past tense may be difficult for children, leading to constructions such as "I seed it" instead of "I saw it." Typically, your 4-year-old will have a large vocabulary of everyday words, such as household items, colors or body parts. Children usually pronounce words correctly at this age.
Language Development Tips for 4-Year-Olds
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Help your 4-year-old strengthen his language development by listening to his many curious questions and answering patiently and thoroughly. Holding conversations with adults helps 4-year-olds develop better language skills, but 4-year-olds tend to imitate the pattern of your speech, so try to avoid ungrammatical sentences and speak clearly and eloquently. Gently correct any grammar or pronunciation mistakes by repeating the sentence back with the right word. Many 4-year-olds are able to follow verbal instructions, so make a habit of verbally explaining new activities as well as illustrating them.
Average Language Development in 5-Year-Olds
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At the age of 5, the average child has a large vocabulary, able to recognize and use between 2,000 to 5,000 words. Most 5-year-olds understand jokes, riddles or wordplay, and also enjoy telling jokes to others. Your 5-year-old is getting better at recognizing information about herself. When prompted, she should be able to tell her full name, birthday, age and other key personal information. A 5-year-old's sentence structure is more complex than a 4-year-old's, with longer sentences and fewer grammatical errors. Many children start to become interested in reading and writing at this age, and may be able to read or write short words, such as their own names.
Language Development Tips for 5-Year-Olds
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Reading aloud to your 5-year-old child helps him develop a larger and more complex vocabulary. Choose books together, moving beyond simple picture books to longer stories. When your child asks the meaning of a written word or asks how to spell a word, answer and show her how to write it herself. Talk to your 5-year-old frequently and conversationally, explaining words he doesn't understand. Gently remind your child not to use certain words that she overhears, such as negative or vulgar words. Ask questions, especially if the answer goes beyond a simple "yes" or "no" and requires engaged, active communication.
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