Building Sentences
Your child gets better at language every day, taking in new words and mastering the basics of grammar.
Your child gets better at language every day, taking in new words and mastering the basics of grammar. It might be confusing to know where he is supposed to be by the time he turns five, so here are some benchmarks to check for when he’s between 4 and 5 years old. Remember though that missing a benchmark is not necessarily something you need to worry about, since every child develops at his or her own pace.
- Speak clearly in more complex sentences. Your child can now tell you an entire story, and has the vocabulary to understand nearly all of it. By now, even strangers can understand what she is saying.
- Identify colors, shapes, and letters. She should be able to name at least a few colors, letters and shapes, and you should take the time to explore different letters and words with her.
- Understand the concept of time. She probably can’t tell time yet, but she should be able to understand the general concept of how a day plays out (breakfast in the morning, lunch at noon, dinner at night). Routine can really help her out here.
- Follow more complex commands. By now, she should be able to follow three or four step commands, such as put away your toys, go put on your pajamas, brush your teeth, and come say good night.
- Verbalize her wants and needs. She is now able to tell you what she wants to do, what she wants to eat, and what’s bothering her.
