AMAZING SPEECH BY THREE YEARS OF AGE
It takes about 100 muscles of the chest, neck, jaw, tongue and lips to say a single phrase! Speech really is amazing. What is more remarkable is that by three years of age children have around 1000 words and are often using 4-6 word sentences or even longer. They are at least 80% intelligible. Their speech is quite fluent and they can understand two part instructions. This is an astonishing achievement by the age of three!
Talking together helps social interaction
HOW TO HELP SPEECH AND LANGUAGE
Simplify your sentences
Phrase sentences differently
Expand vocabulary
Explain events
Correct words gently
Help by slowing down your speech
Take turns when talking
Heap on the praise
Excitement in play
Reduce your questions
Add little words, like “is” “are”
Pronouns (he, she, her, him) are vital
Yesterday’ and ‘tomorrow’ concepts
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THREE YEAR OLDS
If you are concerned about your three year
old’s speech, there is a lot you can do.
1. Listen carefully to what your child is saying.
2. Note down examples of sounds and grammar.
3. Try some of the suggestions given here.
4. If you are concerned, obtain an assessment from a certified practising Speech Pathologist who specialises in children.
Box Hill Speech Pathology can provide comprehensive assessment and therapy for a wide variety of speech language and stuttering difficulties. Happy talking. Vince Borg Principal Speech Pathologist.
