Communication Development: By 4 Years

Here is some information about how children's communication skills usually develop by the age of 4. Below are some activity suggestions to encourage communication from 4 years. Use the language that you are most familiar and comfortable with.

By 4 years, what should my child be able to say and do?

• understand more complex language structures; for example, 'why.... because'
• ask lots of 'what', 'where' and 'why' questions to find out new information
• be taking part in longer and more complicated make-believe play sequences with peers; for example, buying a ticket, going on the bus, getting off at the right stop and then getting back on
• enjoy simple jokes – even though their jokes may not make sense!
• recognise their own written name
• know some letter names
• recognise some printed words in the environment; for example, a stop sign
• be attempting to write their name
• be starting to use talking to make friends and to solve problems
• be able to talk about what they have done and what they might do; for example, they can tell Nana about their trip to the park, then talk about what they want for dinner
• be understood by unfamiliar adults almost all of the time

What are some tips to help my child's communication development at 4 years?

• when your child says something that is not clear, say it back for them so they hear it the right way rather than asking them to repeat it
• have fun with words and sounds; for example, make up games about words that start with the same sound, make up silly words that rhyme
• talk with your child about exciting things that are going to happen, to encourage talking about the future
• let your child choose books to share with you
• encourage your child to join in drawing and writing activities with you; for example, writing shopping lists, making special cards