Preschool is an exciting time in a child's life: they make their first friends, may have their first teacher, and increase their independence.  It is also a time of a child's life where many language skills develop at once.  Some children show trouble learning new language skills.  This can be worrisome or frustrating for parents.  According to the American Speech-Langauge-Hearing Association, there are a few categories of language disorders in preschoolers:  

 

Receptive Language Disorder

Some children have problems with receptive language, or understanding language. These children may have difficulty: 

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• Understanding gestures, like shrugging or nodding 

• Following directions 

• Answering questions 

• Pointing to objects and pictures 

• Knowing how to take turns when talking with others 

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Expressive Language Disorder

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Children may have problems with expressive language, or talking. They may have difficulty: 

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• Naming objects 

• Using gestures

• Putting words together into sentences 

• Asking questions 

• Learning songs and rhymes 

• Using correct pronouns, like "she" or "they"  

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Mixed Receptive and Expressive Language Disorder, or Developmental Language Delay

Many children have difficulty with both their expressive and receptive language skills.  

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Impact on Pre-literacy development

 

Often, children with language delays also have trouble with early reading and writing skills, including:​

• Telling a story with a beginning, middle, and end 

• Naming letters and numbers 

• Learning the alphabet 

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Preschoolers with expressive and receptive language delays can make big improvements in their communication skills with speech therapy.  Preschool is a great time build the needed language and pre-literacy skills before elementary school starts.  Jennifer Houch, MS, CCC-SLP has over 10 years experience helping preschoolers improve their speech and language skills.  If you are concerned about your preschooler's speech and language development, contact Jennifer today!

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