What are preschool language disorders?
Preschool children (3 to 5 years old) with language disorders may have trouble understanding and talking.
What are some signs or symptoms of preschool language disorders?
Some children have problems with understanding, also called receptive language. They may have trouble:
- Understanding what gestures mean
- Following directions
- Answering questions
- Identifying objects and pictures
- Taking turns when talking with others
Some children have problems talking, also called expressive language. They may have trouble:
- Asking questions
- Naming objects
- Using gestures
- Putting words together into sentences
- Learning songs and rhymes
- Using correct pronouns, like “he” or “they”
- Knowing how to start a conversation and keep it going
Many children have problems with both understanding and talking.
Some children also have trouble with early reading and writing, such as:
- Holding a book right side up
- Looking at pictures in a book and turning pages
- Telling a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end
- Naming letters and numbers
- Learning the alphabet
What if my child speaks more than one language?
A child does not get a language disorder from learning a second language. It won’t confuse your child to speak more than one language in the home. Speak to your child in the language that you know best. Children with language disorders will have problems with both languages.
How are preschool language disorders evaluated?
Speech-language pathologists, also called SLPs, usually are part of a team. The team includes you, the child’s teacher, and other professionals. The team can see if your child’s language skills are at age level. SLPs evaluate children while they play. They want to know:
- Does your child know what to do with toys?
- Does your child use pretend play?
For understanding and talking, the SLP will see if your child:
- Follows directions
- Names common objects and actions
- Knows colors, numbers, and letters
- Follows routines like putting his coat away or sitting during circle time
- Sings songs or repeats nursery rhymes
- Gets needs met at home, during play, and at preschool
SLPs will see if your child’s speech is easy to understand. They will see how your child uses her lips, tongue, and teeth to make sounds. They will have your child imitate sounds or words.
For early reading and writing, the SLP will see if your child:
- Looks at and talks about pictures in books
- Recognizes familiar signs and logos
- Holds a book correctly and turns the pages
- Recognizes and writes his or her own name
- Tries to write letters and numbers
How are preschool language disorders treated?
SLPs can help children with language disorders. They work on language problems found during the evaluation. They work with you, teachers, and other professionals to improve speech and language skills. Good language skills help with learning, behavior, self- esteem, and social skills.
Here are some possible treatment goals:
- Increase your child’s understanding and use of language
- Teach caregivers, family members, and teachers ways to communicate with your child
- Help your child use other ways to communicate when needed. This may include simple gestures, picture boards, or computers that say words out loud. This is also called augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC.
What can I do to help?
Here are some language tips:
- Talk a lot your child. This will help your child learn new words.
- Read to your child every day.
- Point out words you see. Point to signs in the grocery store, at school, and outside.
- Speak to your child in the language you know best.
- Listen and respond when your child talks.
- Encourage your child to ask you questions.
- Give your child time to answer questions.
- Set limits for watching TV and using electronic media. Use the time for talking and reading together.