Language Development in Children 2 to 5 Years of Age

Language development is a fascinating process that begins in infancy and continues throughout childhood. The ages from 2 to 5 in particular are full of developmental milestones. It is important to learn what typical language development looks like so that you can know if your child is on track or may need some help with his language skills.

  1. Age 2

    • By 2 years of age, most children have a vocabulary of approximately 150 to 300 words. Most of these words center around names for objects that are in the child's environment. Two-year-olds also begin using short noun-verb sentences. Their language skills should include the use of at least two prepositions, as well as the pronouns "I," "me" and "you."

    Age 3

    • Once a child reaches 3 years of age, she should be able to speak nearly 1,000 words. You should be able to understand a minimum of 90 percent of what she says. Children of this age move toward three-word sentences, as well as occasional plurals and past-tense verbs. A 3-year-old should be able to respond to simple questions, as well as state her age, name and gender.

    Age 4

    • A child who is 4 years old can name familiar objects in pictures, common animal names and at least one color. These preschool-aged children should understand and be able to use at least four prepositions. Preschoolers also tend to engage in make-believe play accompanied by descriptions of what they are doing. They should be able to mimic sounds, unfamiliar words and phrases, and they should be able to follow commands well. Four-year-olds also should understand basic contrasts, such as bigger or smaller, louder or softer.

    Age 5

    • By the time a child is 5 years old, he should have fully intelligible speech, complete with adjectives, adverbs and generally correct grammar. A child of this age can speak all vowels and consonants, although some sounds may not be perfect. Five-year-olds should be able to count to 10, as well as demonstrate understanding of time concepts such as morning, night, today and tomorrow. A 5-year-old's speech should contain some complex and compound sentences, and he should be able to follow three commands in a row.

    Intervention

    • If you feel that your child's language abilities are not developing as they should, speak with your pediatrician about your concerns. You doctor can evaluate the situation and possibly refer you to a speech and language therapist. If your child is in school, you also can talk with the guidance counselor or your child's teacher about getting her tested for possible speech problems. Most schools offer speech services to children who need them. With the proper intervention, many speech and language difficulties are overcome or outgrown.

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