Language development is a natural process for all children, but when delays occur, this can significantly impact intellectual growth and school success. For children aged three, language expectations include the ability to communicate in 2-3 word sentences, follow 2-3 word instructions without repetition (e.g., "Go upstairs, get your blue socks"), and learn new words daily through exposure.
Failure to meet these milestones can lead to serious challenges. Entering kindergarten without age-appropriate language skills puts children with language delays at risk for lifelong consequences, particularly in English and French-speaking contexts in Canada. Potential causes may include genetic or brain-based disorders, hearing impairments (even mild), or limited exposure to English from early caregivers.
At the VLC, programs include:
- Direct teaching of vocabulary comprehension and usage
- Vocabulary development focusing on nouns, verbs, and pronouns
- Introduction of simple words, including names of body parts, colors, numbers, etc.
- Encouraging sentence formation and response to commands
- Helping children name themselves and their family members
- Facilitating the understanding of common objects through storytelling
- Developing skills in reading comprehension, spelling, writing, and mathematics, along with general knowledge about time, place, and the calendar
Parents Advisory
A child's success in school is heavily reliant on their ability to comprehend classroom instructions and engage in age-appropriate play and learning. As they progress through grades, mastery of foundational skills in reading, spelling, and math becomes increasingly critical, even with one-on-one assistance. By grade four, academic success hinges on language proficiency...
Continue to Early Childhood Language Delay in English (Ages 3 to 8)