Speech Language Development School Age

Listening

• Remember information
• Respond to instructions
• Follow 2-3 step directions in a sequence

Speaking

• Be easily understood
• Answer more complex "yes/no" questions
• Tell and retell stories and events in a logical order
• Express ideas with a variety of complete sentences
• Use most parts of speech (grammar) correctly
• Ask and respond to "wh" questions (who, what, where, when, why)
• Stay on topic and take turns in conversation
• Give directions
• Start conversations

By the end of second grade your child should be able to do the following:

Listening

• Follow 3-4 oral directions in a sequence
• Understand direction words (e.g., location, space, and time words)
• Correctly answer questions about a grade-level story

Speaking

• Be easily understood
• Answer more complex "yes/no" questions
• Ask and answer "wh" questions (e.g., who, what, where, when, why)
• Use increasingly complex sentence structures
• Clarify and explain words and ideas
• Give directions with 3-4 steps
• Use oral language to inform, to persuade, and to entertain
• Stay on topic, take turns, and use appropriate eye contact during conversation
• Open and close conversation appropriately
  

By the end of third grade your child should be able to do the following:

Listening

• Listen attentively in group situations
• Understand grade-level material

Speaking

• Speak clearly with an appropriate voice
• Ask and respond to questions
• Participate in conversations and group discussions
• Use subject-related vocabulary
• Stay on topic, use appropriate eye contact, and take turns in conversation
• Summarize a story accurately
• Explain what has been learned

By the end of fourth grade your child should be able to do the following:

Listening

• Listen to and understand information presented by others
• Form opinions based on evidence
• Listen for specific purposes

Speaking

• Use words appropriately in conversation
• Use language effectively for a variety of purposes
• Understand some figurative language (e.g., "the forest stretched across…")
• Participate in group discussions
• Give accurate directions to others
• Summarize and restate ideas
• Organize information for clarity
• Use subject area information and vocabulary (e.g., social studies) for learning
• Make effective oral presentations
  

By the end of fifth grade your child should be able to do the following:

Listening

• Listen and draw conclusions in subject area learning activities

Speaking

• Make planned oral presentations appropriate to the audience
• Maintain eye contact and use gestures, facial expressions, and appropriate voice during group presentations
• Participate in class discussions across subject areas
• Summarize main points
• Report about information gathered in group activities

Adapted from www.asha.org American Speech-Language-Hearing Association