SPEECH & LANGUAGE
In typical childhood development, there are predictable patterns of skills that emerge at each age and stage. We can use these patterns in several ways.
First, they help us determine whether or not a child is showing age-appropriate skills.
Second, we can use these typical patterns as a guide for intervention when children show delays or disorders in their communication.
Typical Development
Please refer to the links below for basic age/stage communication guidelines for birth through late elementary school. If you have concerns, we can help.
Expected Ages of Speech-Sound Production
Childhood Speech-Sound Development (copyright 2020 Stewart SLP, LLC)
Communication from Birth to Age Five
Stuttering and Disfluency in Early Childhood
Communication in Elementary School
https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment/
Communication in Middle School
Resources for Building Language Skills at Home
Parents of young children and older children with language delays often want to know how to support their children’s communication at home. Below, you will find several guides for incorporating language-rich activities at home.
Early Home Language Strategies (copyright 2020 Stewart SLP, LLC). This is a is a 2-page list of specific activity and material suggestions to facilitate language development at home (geared toward ages 1-2 years).
Home Strategies Bingo (copyright 2017 Lia Kurton M.S., CCC-SLP). This is great for taping to your fridge for 25 quick-glance reminders of communication strategies (geared toward ages 1-2 years).
Preschool Language Development (copyright 2020 Stewart SLP, LLC). This is a 3-page list of specific activity and material suggestions to further expand preschoolers’ comprehension, expressive language, and social communication at home (geared toward ages 3-5 years).
Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence (Center on the Developing Child - Harvard University). This packet explains age-based expectations of executive functions, which includes memory, organization, attention, problem-solving, time managements, and more. The packet also offers fun ideas for practicing these skills at home (all ages).
Game-Time Fun! (copyright 2021 Stewart SLP, LLC). This graphic lists suggestions of games for all ages that incorporate various language skills (all ages).