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
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Understands words for time, such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow
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Follows longer directions, such as "Get the box of crayons, find some paper, and pick out 3 colors."
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Understands most of what is said at home and at school
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Says all speech sounds in words. Make make mistakes on some sounds, such as l, s, r, v, z, j, ch, sh, and th.
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Names letters and numbers
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Tells a short story
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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
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Mostly comfortable with change
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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
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Able to pay attention and is not distracted by sounds not noticed by others