Normal Language Development for a Three Year-Old Toddler

Learning to Talk

• A normal three-year-old can say about 200 or 300 words, KidsHealth explains. She can speak simple sentences of three words or more, she can answer your questions and she can ask her own. You can understand much more when she speaks; only about 1/4 of her communication should be difficult to decipher. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a three-year-old usually has names for all familiar objects. She can communicate her needs and verbalize concepts, the National Network for Child Care notes.

Hearing and Understanding

• Between three and four years, most children can understand and follow two-part commands. For example, you can say, "Come here and sit down," rather than bidding her to come and waiting for her to comply before you tell her to sit. A normal child of this age will love it when you read her stories, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association states. According to KidsHealth, your child should also enjoy conversing with you in a two-sided discussion.

Mental Development

• Your three-year-old's increased grasp of language helps her understand intangible concepts. For example, she should comprehend the idea of time; if you tell her that you'll do something "later," she should realize both that it will happen and that it will not happen immediately. The normal toddler begins asking questions that probe beyond what she sees, such as wondering "what" and "how" and "why." Colors become comprehensible to the three-year-old, Iowa State University adds; the child begins connecting the word "red" to the certain shade that she observes visually. Moreover, KidsHealth explains, she should learn to use words to number objects, at least up to three.

Normal Troubles

• A normal three-year-old still struggles with multiple aspects of language; these difficulties are a normal part of the linguistic learning process, and they should not worry you. The University of New Hampshire explains that a three-year-old has not yet fully grasped tenses or plurals. Additionally, he may mix up comparison words, such as large and small, and he may confuse his prepositions, such as in and on. Troubles enunciating are common, Iowa State University assures; about 1/4 of the toddler's talk is incomprehensible, and he still stumbles when speaking new or difficult words.

Aiding Language Development

• Children learn by listening to everything you say. Take advantage of this boon; talk with your child about the things you do and see together. Play games to expand her vocabulary and comprehension; have her follow commands and answer questions. When your three-year-old talks to you, listen and respond, advises the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; use the opportunity to explain the world and improve her grasp of conversation. Reading significantly benefits linguistic development, according to the University of New Hampshire; read to your toddler frequently, discuss and explain what you read and ask her questions about the story.