As Term 1 begins, it is an important transitional time for our youngsters, with many families excitedly introducing their children to kindergarten or school for the first time.

It is an exciting time but it can also be an anxious time for children and their parents and carers. Children are adjusting to their new routine, a new environment, and are meeting and getting to know new educators and peers.

At times like these, it’s natural for parents and carers to reflect on their child’s development and wonder how they’re progressing compared to others their age. Questions about speech, social skills, and overall developmental milestones often come to mind, especially during these significant transitions. You might find yourself asking, “Is my child where they should be?” or “Do they need additional support?”

Understanding milestones and individual progress

It’s important to remember that every child is unique, and their journey of growth unfolds at its own pace. Milestones are helpful guides, not strict rules, and variations in development are completely normal. While some children may pick up new skills quickly, others may take a little longer – and that’s okay.

“To know whether a child is on track, it’s helpful to understand what skills are typically developing at different ages,” says Michelle Swift, Clinical Lead – Speech Pathology at Elcies. “This helps families identify if there’s a need for extra support and, if so, where to focus their efforts.”

To support families, the Elcies Speech Pathology team has created fact sheets outlining key speech and developmental milestones for children aged 3-4 and 4-5.

What to expect

Aa child at age three to four, heading into kindergarten, will typically do things such as:

• say the following sounds: p, b, m, d, n, h, t, k, g, w, f, ng, y
• be able to identify colours
• start noticing written words and letters such as the first letter of their name
• show frustration if not understood.

For a comprehensive list of speech and development indicators for 3-4 year olds, download our Elcies Milestones 3-4 years Fact Sheet.

Children who are transitioning to school, around the ages of four to five, will typically:

• be able to say the following additional sounds: l, j, ch, sh, s, z, v
• answer ‘how many’ questions (where the answer does not exceed four)
• know many letter names
• use direct requests with justification (e.g., ‘Stop that. You’re hurting me.’)

For a comprehensive list of speech and development indicators for 4-5 year olds, download our Elcies Milestones 4-5 years Fact Sheet.

Please note, these fact sheets are a guide only, and do not replace professional advice.

“There are some important milestones for children at different ages, however, it’s important to note that there is variation in the rate at which children develop these skills,” says Tamsin.

Support is available

While developmental variation is normal, if you have concerns or notice areas where your child might benefit from additional help, support is available. Early intervention can be key to helping children build confidence and thrive in their learning environment.

“At Elcies, our experienced Speech Pathologists specialise in helping children meet important milestones,” Michelle adds. “Through fun and engaging programs, we work closely with families to build skills in areas like play, interaction, speech, language, and literacy.”

At Elcies, we offer a holistic approach as we believe in the power of family involvement in therapy. Our Speech Pathologists have developed practical services designed to support not just the individual but also their family, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive approach to health and wellbeing.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re working on speech clarity, language development or social communication skills, our Speech Pathologists are here to support you every step of the way to unlock your child’s communication potential.

We have recently opened a new Elcies site for Speech Pathology and don’t currently don’t have a waiting list for services.

Contact our team today at 1800 352 437, email hello@elcies.org.au, or visit elcies.org.au for more information.