Developmental Milestones

Developmental Milestones – Four to Five Years

By Natalie J. Dahl, M.S., CCC-SLP

In a child’s fifth year of life, speech and language skills are continuing to grow at a rapid rate. The child understands most of what is heard at home and in school. He or she is understood 80-90% of the time, makes up simple stories, and can respond to questions appropriately. Socially, the child enjoys talking with others and can maintain conversation.

The following list shows behaviors that a child will probably exhibit throughout his or her fifth year of life. Every child is unique, and this list should be used as a general guide. If a child is not meeting the developmental milestones below, consider consulting with a speech-language pathologist to determine further action.

Four to Five Years – Receptive Language (Hearing/Understanding)

Understands approximately 2,500-2,800 words
Follows directions with 3-4 critical elements (e.g. “Find the green ball and put it under your bed.”)
Follows directions with multiple steps (e.g. “Change into your pajamas, brush your teeth, choose a book.”)
Follows classroom directions (e.g. “Put an X on your paper over something you sit on.”)
Listens and attends to stories, conversations, and movies
Understands most of what is heard at home and in school

Four to Five Years – Expressive Speech and Language (Speaking)

Uses approximately 1,500-2,000 words
Speaks clearly 80-90% of the time
Says all speech sounds in words; may make mistakes on s, l, r, sh, ch, th, j, v, z, and consonant blends such as st
Uses language to retell events, reminisce, wonder, and connect ideas
Responds to “What did you say?”
Can look at pictures in a book and make up simple stories
Makes up short stories with dolls, action figures, or stuffed animals
Uses all pronouns correctly
Describes how common objects are used
Uses past, present, and future tenses of regular verbs
Uses many irregular verbs and irregular nouns, but sometimes mixes up the correct forms (e.g. “He falled down.”)
Uses common opposites, like heavy/light and big/little
Repeats sentences with 10-12 syllables
Talks without “stuttering” most of the time
Names letters and numbers

Four to Five Years – Social Language

Keeps a conversation going
Talk in different ways, depending on the listener and/or setting (i.e. uses shorter sentences with younger kids or talks quieter inside than outside)
Likes to chitchat with others throughout the day