Resources — Spring Into Speech

Your Child's Communication Development: Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade

What should I expect my child's speech and language development to be during elementary school?

Use this guide from ASHA! Choose a grade level to learn about common developmental milestones and school expectations for children at that level.

Remember, every child is unique and will reach these milestones in different ways and times. The language spoken at home and cultural norms can influence the way that we communicate.

Early Detection of Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders

Do you have a child 3 years old or younger? Are you worried because your child doesn't seem to listen? Has your child started to say any words? Does your child cry a lot or have tantrums? Your child may have early signs of a speech, language, or hearing disorder.

My 2½-year-old, Evan, doesn't talk at all. He doesn't respond when I call his name. He turns the pages of a book, but doesn't pay any attention when I read to him. He shows me what he wants, but doesn't use words. He doesn't do what I ask him to do. He gets upset when I don't understand him. Is this normal? Does he just need more time to catch up?

Don't wait and hope your child will outgrow a communication problem. Early spoken language disorders can result in problems with reading, writing, and learning. They also may lead to problems with social skills, like making friends. Early detection leads to early treatment. The earlier you get help for your child, the better.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help children of all ages who have spoken and written language disorders, speech sound disorders, stuttering (disfluency), and voice disorders. Audiologists help children with a hearing loss. Children may have one or more of these communication disorders.

Identify the Signs

Here are some of the signs to help you determine if your child has a speech, language, or hearing disorder. It helps to know about typical speech and language development.

Signs of a Language Disorder

A language disorder may be spoken and/or written (reading and writing). It may also be receptive (understanding) and/or expressive (talking, reading, writing, or signing).

Doesn't smile or interact with others (birth–3 months)
Doesn't babble (4–7 months)
Makes few sounds (7–12 months)
Does not use gestures (e.g., waving, pointing) (7–12 months)
Doesn't understand what others say (7 months–2 years)
Says only a few words (12–18 months)
Doesn't put words together to make sentences (1½–2 years)
Says fewer than 50 words (2 years)
Has trouble playing and talking with other children (2–3 years)
Has problems with early reading and writing skills—for example, may not show an interest in books or drawing (2½–3 years)

Ways to Help With Language Disorders

Listen and respond to your child
Talk, read, and play with your child
Communicate with your child in the language that you are most comfortable using
Know that it's good to teach your child to speak a second language
Talk about what you are doing and what your child is doing
Use a lot of different words with your child
Use longer sentences as your child gets older
Have your child play with other children

Signs of a Speech Sound Disorder

Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly in words most of the time (1–2 years)
Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly in words most of the time (2–3 years)
Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2–3 years)

Ways to Help With Speech Sound Disorders

Say the sounds correctly when you talk—it's okay if your child makes some mistakes with sounds
Don't correct speech sounds—it's more important to let your child keep talking

Signs of Stuttering (Disfluency)

Struggles to say sounds or words (2½–3 years)
Repeats first sounds of words—"b-b-b-ball" for "ball" (2½–3 years)
Pauses a lot while talking (2½–3 years)
Stretches sounds out—"f-f-f-f-farm" for "farm" (2½–3 years)

Ways to Help With Stuttering or Disfluency

Give your child time to talk
Do not interrupt or stop your child while he or she is speaking
See an SLP if you are concerned (Many young children stutter for a short period of time; in most cases, the stuttering will stop.)

Signs of a Voice Disorder

Uses a hoarse or breathy voice
Uses a nasal-sounding voice

Ways to Help With Voice Disorders

See a doctor if your child sounds hoarse or breathy or has a nasal-sounding voice
Tell your child not to shout or scream
Keep your child away from cigarette smoke

Audiologists help with hearing loss.

Signs of a Hearing Loss

Shows lack of attention to sounds (birth–1 year)
Doesn't respond when you call his/her name (7 months–1 year)
Doesn't follow simple directions (1–2 years)
Shows delays in speech and language development (birth–3 years)

Source: ASHA

Speech Sound Chart

Horizontal bars indicate a range of typical sound development in children.

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