Speech, Swallowing, & Voice Specialists of Hawaii
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4-5 YEARS OLD
Typical milestones during this age range
Speech/Language
Understands word for order such as first, next, and last
Understands words for time, such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow
Follows longer directions, such as "Get the box of crayons, find some paper, and pick out 3 colors."
Understands most of what is said at home and at school
Says all speech sounds in words. Make make mistakes on some sounds, such as l, s, r, v, z, j, ch, sh, and th.
Names letters and numbers
Tells a short story
Talks in different ways depending on the listener and place. Uses short sentences with younger children and talks louder outside than inside.
Speech/Language skills involve a great deal of motor and sensory components. For this reason, motor and sensory milestones for this age group are also listed below as a delay or disturbance in either could influence your child's speech/language development.
Motor
(Ranges from 4-6 years of age)
Hops and stands on one foot up to 2-10 seconds (10 seconds closer to 5)
Catches a bounced ball most of the time
Pours, cuts with supervision, and mashes own food
May be able to skip
Can do a somersault
Uses a fork and spoon
Can use the toilet independently
Swings and climbs
Sensory
(Ranges from 4-6 years of age)
Able to sit and pay attention
Mostly comfortable with change
Participates in crafts/activities that involve wet textures (i.e.; glue)
Usually does not bring non-food objects to mouth
Able to take a bath or shower, although preference may be present
Enjoys participating in loud fun settings, such as birthday parties
Able to pay attention and is not distracted by sounds not noticed by others